HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc239-40W
60. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money is being spent from public funds annually on the London Business School, the London and Cambridge Economic Service, and the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, respectively; and, in view of the fact that their forecasts vary and are inaccurate, if he will cease to subsidise them.

Mr. Taverne

In the current financial year the provision from public funds for the London Business School, which is mainly concerned with postgraduate work in management education and receives substantial support also for this purpose from private industry, is £441,000. The corresponding figure for the National Institute is £116,000. The London and Cambridge Economic Service is not assisted from public funds. Forecasting is not the only activity of these last two bodies, but it is one that the Government considers to be specially valuable.

61. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in the National Institute for Economic and Social Research; what is its total annual expenditure; and, in view of the fact that its forecasts have proved inaccurate if he will stop payment of grant to this body.

Mr. Taverne

The National Institute is an independent non-profit making body whose funds are derived from other sources besides the Exchequer. Its affairs are confidential except to the extent that it chooses to disclose them.