HC Deb 07 December 1988 vol 143 c168W
23. Mr. Eadie

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the level of expenditure by British industry on civil research and development.

Mr. Forth

Expenditure by United Kingdom industry on industrial research and development amounted to about 1 per cent. of GDP in 1986, just slightly above the proportion for 1985. The economic climate established by Her Majesty's Government should encourage United Kingdom industry to raise its level of R and D expenditure further.