asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the total number of staff employed by the Natural Environment Research Council annually since 1979; and if he will give the projection for the next two years.

The total numbers of staff employed by the Natural Environment Research Council since 1979 (excluding those directly employed by grant-aided associations) were:

31 December	Number
1979	2,908
1980	3,034
1981	2,979
1982	2,915
1983	2,828
1984	2,835
1985	2,571
1986	2,481

The total numbers now forecast on the basis of the council's scientific strategy are expected to decline by about 100 a year over the next few years.