§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what particular steps he now proposes to take to arrest the science brain drain from the United Kingdom, in the light of the recent Advisory Board for Research Councils' report on the subject;
(2) what particular steps he proposes to take to seek to reduce the migration of talent in chemistry to the United States of America;
(3) what particular steps he proposes to take to seek to persuade very able scientists in biochemistry and molecular biology from migrating abroad.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend intends to add £45 million to the science budget compared with previous plans over the three years 1986–87 to 1988–89. My right hon. Friend also intends to increase the amount available to the University Grants Committee for the improvement of equipment in selected centres of research from £7 million to £10 million in each of the financial years 1986–87 and 1987–88 and to make the same provision in 1988–89. The additions to the science budget will be distributed following advice from the ABRC; the UGC will be responsible for distributing the selective equipment funds. My right hon. Friend hopes that together the additional provisions will provide more opportunities and better facilities for talented scientists—chemists, biochemists, molecular biologists and others—to pursue their work in this country.