Science, Engineering and Technology (Hansard, 23 July 2002)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

The Government are today publishingInvesting in Innovation: a strategy for science, engineering and technology. This document sets out the Government's strategy for science, underpinned by the substantial new investment in science announced on 15 July by my right honourable friend the Member for Dunfermline East.

It sets out what the Government propose to do, in partnership with other stakeholders, to ensure the long-term sustainability of our university research base. It provides details of how the Government intend to implement the recommendations of the Roberts review. It makes clear the Government's commitment to continuing to expand our research base by strengthening existing research programmes through the research councils and allowing for research into exciting and promising new areas of science.

The document shows how government will further encourage collaboration between universities and the business sector through increased investment in knowledge transfer activities and, in particular, through an expansion of the Higher Education Innovation Fund. It also sets out how the DTI will increase the diffusion of advances in science and technology in the economy.

Finally, it shows what steps the Government will take to improve the quality of the science done by government departments, and commissioned from others.

Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of the House and may be viewed at http://www.ost.gov.uk/whats_new.htm.