HC Deb 14 December 1992 vol 216 cc20-1
32. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the budget of the five research councils.

Mr. Robert Jackson

The science budget in 1993–94 will be £1,164.6 million. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be announcing its distribution shortly.

Mr. Coombs

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer, which I suspect shows an increase in cash terms on the total budget for the five research councils, four of which have their headquarters in my constituency. What reassurance can my hon. Friend give the House that the budgets of the individual research councils will not be at the mercy of international currency fluctuations in so far as they affect the cost to Britain of its membership of such international organisations as CERN?

Mr. Jackson

I can confirm that my hon. Friend is right. The sum represents a 4 per cent. increase in cash terms, which is significant in what has been a difficult public expenditure round.

My hon. Friend asked about CERN and international subscriptions. It is a long-standing problem, although we have recently renegotiated our arrangements for CERN subscriptions to make it a little easier. The Advisory Board for the Research Councils will offer advice to my right hon. Friend shortly about how the increases will affect different councils. My right hon. Friend will then have to consider that advice to see what action we should take.

Dr. Bray

Will the Minister confirm that although the total for all Government expenditure remains as planned for next year, the science budget for research councils has been cut from that which had been previously planned? Does he acknowledge, therefore, that the effect of the creation of the Office of Science and Technology has been to reduce the priority given to science by the Government?

Mr. Jackson

I do not accept that at all. The hon. Gentleman is completely wrong on that point. This year has been difficult for public expenditure. It has obviously had implications for every part of public expenditure, but we think that it is an important achievement to have safeguarded a 4 per cent. increase in cash terms.

Dr. Spink

Will my hon. Friend consider increasing the importance of near-market research, relative to fundamental research, as one of the mechanisms for improving our industrial strategy?

Mr. Jackson

My hon. Friend's question is pertinent to the White Paper on science and technology which we are developing. That White Paper will be published early in the new year. Both science and technology are important. They feed through into the industrial development of the economy. Fundamental science provides the background of ideas and opportunities for training the people who will take forward science and technology throughout the economy.