HC Deb 17 April 1996 vol 275 cc526-7W
26. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of our gross domestic project is spent on(a) Government and (b) private research and development and basic science. [23944]

Mr. Ian Taylor

In 1994, the latest year for which data is available, Government-funded R and D was 0.71 per cent. of GDP and private sector-funded R and D was 1.48 per cent. of GDP. Government-funded basic research amounted to about 0.24 per cent. of GDP and private sector-funded basic research was about 0.1 per cent. of GDP.

33. Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Government funding for research and development. [23951]

Mr. Ian Taylor

In 1995–96 the total expenditure on research and development by Government Departments is expected to have been about £5.6 billion.