§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he intends cutting back on his £155 million research and development programme this year, and, if so, what is his estimate of the number of people who will be unemployed as a result.
§ Mr. David Howell, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11 June 1979; Vol. 968, c. 42], gave the following answer:
As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced yesterday, the programmes for which I am responsible are to be reduced by £323 million this year. Within that total reduction, I have reduced the provision for non-nuclear research and development by £2 million. I do not foresee any unemployment arising from this decision.