HC Deb 17 December 2002 vol 396 cc39-40WS
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Margaret Beckett)

I announced a review of the three science laboratories, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), and the two regulatory agencies, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) on 26 March 2002,Official Report, column 839W The Review has concluded that overall, the five agencies have performed well and that at present, there is no case for changes to their ownership or structure. The Review makes a number of recommendations with the aim of strengthening the relationship between Defra and the agencies by: giving them greater strategic direction for planning and investment, and the systems and freedoms to run their businesses more effectively; linking their work more closely and overtly with Defra's new agenda as a science evidence based department delivering a sustainable development agenda; and establishing clearly Defra's corporate ownership role.

I am making copies of the Report available in the Libraries of both Houses.