§ Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the text of his letter to Sir David Phillips, chairman of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, seeking the board's advice on the allocation of the science budget in 1993–94 and later years.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe following is the text of my letter: Sir David Phillips KBE FRS
Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils PROVISION FOR SCIENCE 1993–94 to 1995–96
I am writing to let you know the outcome of this years' Public Expenditure survey, and to seek the Board's help in allocating the funds now available for the science budget for 1993–94 and later years.As you know, this has been an exceptionally difficult survey. All existing plans for public expenditure have been reviewed to ensure that we meet our over-riding economic objectives. The resulting provision for the science budget will be £1,164.6m in 1993–94, £1,231.5m in 1994–95 and £1,264.7m in 1995–96.These figures are lower than the previous planning figures announced last November. They take account of the reduction since then in the expected level of inflation, as measured by the reduction in the GDP deflator. After allowing for the dual support transfer, the revised figures provide for at least level funding in real terms throughout the planning period. In the circumstances, I believe that they represent a good settlement for science.I nevertheless recognise that the lower level of provision now available will require a reassessment of priorities as compared with previous plans. There have also been changes since the Board's advice was submitted last May which affect the position of individual funded bodies.Before deciding on the distribution of the funds available for 1993–94 and later years, I would find it most helpful to have the Board's assessment of the impact of such changes on individual funded bodies, and its judgment of what our priorities should now be. I am asking the Chief Scientific Adviser, as my representative on the Board, and my officials in the Office of Public Service and Science to work with you to this end.Since the Science Budget is a matter of considerable Parliamentary and public interest, I propose to follow precedent by publishing the text of this letter in the fonn of a Parliamentary Answer.