Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Research Council meeting in Luxembourg on 17 October.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have been asked to reply.
I represented Her Majesty's Government at the meeting of the Community's Council of Ministers (Research) in Luxembourg on 17 October.
The Council adopted a common position on a Community programme of research on the competitiveness of agriculture and management of agricultural resources. The programme will receive Community funding of 55 mecu (37 million) over five years. Priority will be given to research work which helps to identify alternative outlets for products and uses for land, conserves natural resources and develops production systems in harmony with the environment.
There was also a further exchange of views on several aspects of the Commission proposal for a framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990–1994).