To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds, in cash and constant prices, were allocated to the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture research and development budgets for each year since 1978; what is the projected spending for 1993–94 and 1994–95; and what proportion of the departmental budget for research and development is accounted for by (a) the Central Science Laboratory, (b) the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, (c) the Central Veterinary Laboratory and (d) ADAS.
The available information is given in the table.
| Year | Funding for DANI R&D £ million, cash | Funding for DANI R&D £ million, 1977–78 prices2 |
| 1978–79 | 6·7 | 6·2 |
| 1979–80 | 6·9 | 5·5 |
| 1980–81 | 7·1 | 4·9 |
| 1981–82 | 7·4 | 4·6 |
| 1982–83 | 7·6 | 4·3 |
| 1983–84 | 7·8 | 4·3 |
| 1984–85 | 8·0 | 4·2 |
| 1985–86 | 8·1 | 4·0 |
| 1986–87 | 8·3 | 4·0 |
| 1987–88 | 8·5 | 3·9 |
| 1988–89 | 8·7 | 3·8 |
| 1989–90 | 8·9 | 3·6 |
| 1990–91 | 9·0 | 3·3 |
| 1991–92 | 9·2 | 3·2 |
| 1992–93 | 9·5 | 3·2 |
| 11993–94 | 9·8 | 3·2 |
| 11994–95 | 10·1 | 3·2 |
(a) the Central Science Laboratory (b) the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, (c) the Central Veterinary Laboratory and (d) ADAS.
Notes:
1 Projected, 3 per cent. inflation assumed for re-pricing.
2 Correct using the retail price index.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed, for each year since 1978, directly by the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture on research and development programmes related to agriculture, fisheries and food; and how many people were employed, for each year since 1978 on Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture research and development programmes commissioned from outside.
The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.