asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assessment of the effect of the cut in the budget of the Agricultural Training Board.

The Agricultural Training Board's cash limit for 1980–81 is £7·345 million. This compares with £6·285 million provided in 1979–80 and calls for a reduction of some 12½ per cent. in the board's planned expenditure at October 1978 prices. The board has already effected some administrative economies and adjustments to its planned programme. It is for the board to consider what further measures might be needed.