Written Question · S1W-10188 · Session 1
What science, engineering and other research bodies are accountable to it; what powers of direction, guidance and instruction are available…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what science, engineering and other research bodies are accountable to it; what powers of direction, guidance and instruction are available to it in relation to each; what current programmes or studies are ongoing at the behest of those bodies, and what level of funding has been made available by the Executive to each body.
The answer
The Scottish Executive commissions a programme of research in agricultural, biological and related sciences from the five Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes, the Scottish Agricultural College and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The organisations are all funded by grant-in-aid and are accountable to the Scottish Executive and to Parliament for this funding through the Chief Executives who are accountable officers. Controls over the organisations are described in Management Statements and Financial Memoranda (in the case of SAC a Memorandum of Understanding). In addition, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is governed by the provisions of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 which includes powers for Scottish Ministers to appoint Trustees to the Board and to require the board to provide such information relating to the discharge of their functions as Ministers may require. The table below sets out a brief description of the current programmes of each organisation and of the Scottish Executive's recurrent funding in 2000-01. Organisation | Programme | Recurrentfunding in 2000-01£k
Hannah Research Institute | Generation of new knowledge in biological science and technology relevant to harnessing lactation for nutritional and economic benefit and to the quality of food products. | 2,922
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute | Undertakes research in the context of rural land use and resource management. Assessment of the environmental, economic and social impacts of agriculture and related land uses together with the consequences of change resulting from factors and influences such as policy, management, effects of climate and pollution. | 5,992
Scottish Crop Research Institute | Undertakes a programme of research on agricultural, horticultural and industrial crops, their pests and diseases and on processes common to all plants to create and protect wealth and to improve the quality of life and the environment. | 7,503
Rowett Research Institute | Conducts research on biochemical and physiological aspects of mammalian nutrition, with particular emphasis on the effects of diet on health and on the complex interplay between agriculture, food and health. | 5,988
Moredun Research Institute | Conducts research on the biology of infectious diseases in sheep and other grazing animals that contribute to national wealth and are integral to sustainable agriculture. |
Hannah Research Institute | Generation of new knowledge in biological science and technology relevant to harnessing lactation for nutritional and economic benefit and to the quality of food products. | 2,922
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute | Undertakes research in the context of rural land use and resource management. Assessment of the environmental, economic and social impacts of agriculture and related land uses together with the consequences of change resulting from factors and influences such as policy, management, effects of climate and pollution. | 5,992
Scottish Crop Research Institute | Undertakes a programme of research on agricultural, horticultural and industrial crops, their pests and diseases and on processes common to all plants to create and protect wealth and to improve the quality of life and the environment. | 7,503
Rowett Research Institute | Conducts research on biochemical and physiological aspects of mammalian nutrition, with particular emphasis on the effects of diet on health and on the complex interplay between agriculture, food and health. | 5,988
Moredun Research Institute | Conducts research on the biology of infectious diseases in sheep and other grazing animals that contribute to national wealth and are integral to sustainable agriculture. |
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-10188 by reference.