§ 37. Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the efficiency scrutiny report into the Government research laboratories.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe efficiency scrutiny team will make its recommendations shortly. I intend to publish the report and to consult widely before reaching decisions on the way forward.
§ Mrs. CampbellDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that 90 days represents a ludicrously short time scale for the scrutiny of the efficiency of 53 Government research laboratories? Is not it likely that the scrutiny team will produce simplistic rationalisations and cuts, which could only damage the Government's research base?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI do not believe so. We will all see the report when it is published, and then we shall consult carefully. There is no reason why the Government should not examine carefully research overhead costs. As my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs) says, we want the money to go to science. If we can find ways to save money by dispensing with unnecessary overheads, we should do so.
§ Mr. DickensIs not it a fact that the Government have no money of their own—only taxpayers's money? Should not we review research laboratories sensibly and regularly so that money spent on behalf of taxpayers is applied efficiently and effectively?
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy hon. Friend must be right when he suggests that it is the duty of any Minister to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent as efficiently as possible. We shall do that through the study and we shall do it right across the board.
§ Mr. DafisWhen considering the report, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that a recent parliamentary answer that I received showed that research funding for Wales is absolutely disgraceful? Will the Chancellor of the Duchy discuss that matter with the Secretary of State for Wales, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and other organisations involved in scientific research in Wales? Will he consider also devolving to Wales—to the Welsh Office—the function of research councils, together with at least 5 per cent. of funding?
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt would be a bad idea to devolve research council funding to Wales or to Scotland. Vice-chancellors and most of the research community—in Scotland, at any rate—are strong supporters of maintaining a national system. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that there is concern. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales recently took steps to reinforce research excellence in Wales, which will enable research contracts to be won on merit more freely, perhaps, than in the past.
§ Dr. SpinkDoes my right hon. Friend agree that Government research laboratories should enjoy state-of-the-art management and organisational structures and should apply their resources as effectively as possible? Is not it essential that the review is carefully considered?
§ Mr. WaldegraveAs we are supporting through the Economic and Social Research Council good research into organisational theory and proper management, it would be paradoxical not to apply them to the science base itself.