HC Deb 04 December 1989 vol 163 c7W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the size of the research and development budget for each year since 1979 and the proportion of this budget spent in developing defence technology.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

[holding answer 30 November 1989] : Department of Trade and Industry spend on science and technology since 1979 is as follows:

£ million
1979–80 245
1980–81 252
1981–82 286
1982–83 283
1983–84 400
1984–85 436
1985–86 458
1986–87 462
1987–88 418
11988–89 407
1 Estimated.

Notes

(1) Before June 1983 figures relate to Department of Industry.

(2) Source of figures: Cabinet Office annual review of Government funded research and development.

There is no proportion of the budget spent in developing defence technology. Some limited support of research at Ministry of Defence establishments is carried out to promote civil applications of defence technology.