§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what scientific research is being sponsored into the origins of life and the beginnings of the universe.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Science and Engineering Research Council supports a number of projects in these areas through its research grant programme and through access to major observational and experimental facilities.
Research relating to the origins of life includes work in molecular biology and genetics which will allow scientists to search for the earliest evidence from fossil and geological records of simple proteins, metabolic pathways and early microbe forms.
Research into the origins and history of the universe, in which United Kingdom scientists play a leading role, includes:
High-energy particle physics at CERN and elsewhere where research into the structure of matter and the way it interacts provides information on the very early development of the universe.Observational astrophysics using both ground-based and space-launched telescopes. The former includes those on La Palma and in Hawaii; and plans are well advanced for two new large optical telescopes to be built in collaboration with the United States of America and Canada. Space-based observation is supported through the United Kingdom's membership of the European Space Agency and by collaboration with other agencies such as NASA.Research into the detection of "Dark Matter" (at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Imperial College) and into Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (at Cambridge and Jodrell Bank).223WA number of theoretical reseach programmes including studies in quantum gravity and mathematical astrophysics.