HC Deb 18 April 1978 vol 948 c240
9. Mr. Macfarlane

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she next plans to meet the chairman of the Science Research Council.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

On Thursday, Sir.

Mr. Macfarlane

Does the Secretary of State recognise that that is an encouraging date? Will she take the opportunity of discussing in particular with the chairman of the Science Research Council page 2 of the annual report, which states that the declining budgets which are likely to be available between now and the 1980s could well render the SRC unable to discharge its duties adequately and as it is hoped to do? Will she therefore ensure that in the long term some of the revenue from North Sea oil is diverted to helping hard-pressed British science, because in real terms the decline since 1973 has been far too significant?

Mrs. Williams

I take the hon. Gentleman's point about North Sea oil. But he will recognise that since the report was published there has been an increase in real terms in the science budget, and that will be sustained in future years.

Mr. Dalyell

On Thursday, will my right hon. Friend ask the chairman to give a view—perhaps prepared over several months—of the effect on the United Kingdom research pattern of the creation of a separate Scottish State?

Mrs. Williams

I had not thought of discussing that matter with the chairman, but I shall certainly consider it in the light of my hon. Friend's representations.