HC Deb 01 December 1992 vol 215 cc122-3W
Dr. Moonie

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the names of the individuals and organisations who have made submissions to the consultation on his forthcoming White Paper on science and technology; and if he will place copies of the responses in the Library.

Mr. Waldegrave

The consultation period ended on 30 November, and the response has been superb. Over 500 submissions from all over the United Kingdom have been received from multinational companies, small businesses, charities, academia, professional bodies, institutes and societies, and, of course, scientists at the bench. Their responses have covered all the major aspects of science and technology.

All the views expressed will be taken on board and fed into our thinking on the White Paper, which I intend to publish in the early part of 1993. I very much appreciate how seriously the consultation has been taken and am pleased with the way it has widened the debate on the future of science and technology in this country.

Since responses are still arriving I intend to wait a short while before placing a list of respondents and copies of responses from organisations, who have consented, in the Library. However, today I am placing in the Library copies of the submissions from the Research Councils.