§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will ask the Science Research Council to set up a biotechnology committee to direct research and development into biotechnological processes that can be exploited by industry;
(2)what research is being undertaken in the United Kingdom in biotechnological processes; and whether she is
£million £million £million 1978–79 1973–74 Budget estimate RPI related rates Specific duty on:— Hydrocarbon oil … … … 1,586.8 2,500 3,500 Alcoholic drink … … … 954.1 2,400 2,275 Tobacco* … … … 1,086.5 2,450 2,275 Vehicle Excise … … … 533.5 1,120 1,185 * Since 1973–74 the tobacco duty has been converted from a specific duty on the weight of leaf tobacco withdrawn from bond for manufacture to an end—product duty, which on cigarettes is partly ad valorem.