Research and Development

HC Deb 31 March 1994 vol 240 c1008W

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what decisions have been taken by the European Commission recently on the new initiatives under the fourth research and development framework programme; and how these affect the United Kingdom.

Mr. Waldegrave

On 21 March the conciliation committee consisting of members of the Research Council of Ministers and of the European Parliament reached political agreement on a joint text for the fourth framework programme on European Community research and development—FP4. This now awaits formal adoption by both institutions. The European Commission will shortly bring forward the specific programmes of FP4 which implement the framework programme decision and these will be negotiated during the remainder of 1994.