§ 41. Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current objectives of research and development funding from his Department.
§ Mr. PattieThe objectives of my Department's research and development policy are to
encourage industry to increase its own investment in research and development in line with other advanced industrial countries.seek to secure more effective exploitation of national and international science and technology.promote awareness and rapid adoption of key technologies.help industry to achieve levels of quality and design matching the highest world standards.encourage closer links between producers and customers for new products through, for example, public purchasing.
§ 62. Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the current and planned levels of public spending on research and development devoted to manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. PattieThe information could only be provided at disproportionate cost since my Department does not record for all its schemes the amount of support going to different industrial sectors. However, it may be estimated that in 1986–87 my Department is likely to spend £280 million on research and development devoted to manufacturing industry and £310 million, £330 million, and £340 million in the three succeeding years.