asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service.

In reply to a written question by my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, West and Torridge (Sir P. Mills) on 13 November 1984, I announced the publication of a report on the future of the agricultural development and advisory service by Professor Bell, and my endorsement of his general conclusions. However, I made clear that a good deal of further work would be needed before detailed final decisions could be taken on the recommendations in the report. That work is in hand and I hope to be in a position to make a further statement be fore the summer recess.