§ 31. Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the future of the European Community framework programme of research and development.
§ Mr. ForthThere has been welcome progress in implementing specific research programmes within the current framework programme. The Commission is itself conducting a review and is expected to put forward its own ideas for the future of Community research next year. At this stage it is not possible to anticipate what its conclusions may be. The United Kingdom will play an active part in the subsequent discussions. We shall, however, insist that any proposals for revision of existing Community research activity must be fully justified.