§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the progress made towards modifying career opportunities for scientific researchers following the publication of the first report from the Education, Science and Arts Committee on "Science Policy: the European Dimension" in December 1990.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThis report is currently under consideration by the Government and a response will be made as soon as possible.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next intends to meet representatives of the Association of Researchers in Medicine and Science Ltd. to discuss the career structures of scientific researchers.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthI have agreed to meet representatives of this association and my officials are in touch with their representatives with a view to fixing a date.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make it his policy(a) to offer accreditation to scientific researchers with a proven track record and (b) to reallocate funding in accordance with the development of a national career structure for scientific researchers.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe recruitment and career structure of scientific researchers are a matter for the employing institutions and research councils. For its part, the Government have provided substantial funding to the higher education funding councils for restructuring and new appointments of academic staff.