HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc305-6W
Ms Coffey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect of proposed job losses at the gas research centre Loughborough on current research programmes with his Department's funding. [31046]

Mr. Page

Current research and development programmes being funded by Government Departments will be completed within agreed contract terms and conditions and proposed manpower rationalisations will not affect this.

Ms Coffey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has sought assurances from British Gas that job losses at the gas research centre at Loughborough will not prejudice current research and development programmes to improve gas safety. [31048]

Mr. Page

The Government expect British Gas to maintain sufficient research and development to meet its obligations for ensuring gas safety. British Gas has made it clear that the new research arrangements will not affect safety standards and that no key areas of research have been affected.

Ms Coffey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of research and development funding by the Department of Trade and Industry to programmes at Loughborough gas research centre for each year since 1993. [31047]

Mr. Page

The total DTI funding paid for research and development projects conducted at British Gas's Loughborough research centre since 1993 is £1,236,034.