HC Deb 02 November 1988 vol 139 cc693-4W
Mr. Summerson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision he intends to make for environmental research in 1989–90 and later years.

62. Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has made for increased research into the environment since 27 September.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The public expenditure plans which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced yesterday include additional provision of £2.6 million for the Department's environmental research programme in 1989–90 and 1990–91, raising the level of this programme to £35.8 million and £36 million respectively. In 1991–92 it is planned to maintain the level of expenditure at £36 million.

The environmental research programme covers radioactive wastes, air pollution, land wastes, toxic substances, countryside, water, planning, natural resources and local government. The additional provision for 1989–90 includes £1.23 million in support of trials of water metering. It will also allow expenditure on research into the North sea marine environment, waste disposal and climatic change to be increased by £0.5 million, £0.5 million and £0.25 million respectively.