§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the future of independent research into the urban and regional employment implications of the present Government's economic policies, following his decision to withdraw departmental funds from the centre for environmental studies.
§ Mr. KingWhile it is, of course, open to any independent research body to undertake such research itself, I shall be prepared to support specific work in this field as and when appropriate.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an assurance that, in the event of the centre for environmental studies becoming a fully independent research organisation, bids by the centre for environmental studies for projects funded by his Department will be treated on an equal basis with those from other similar organisations.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report all the representation he has received from internationally renowned academics, local authorities, and other persons and organisations against the closure of the centre for environmental studies.
§ Mr. KingWe have so far received 34 representations about the decision to withdraw funds from the centre for environmental studies. 17 of these have come from Members of Parliament and nine from university departments.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he in- 288W tends to fund any multi-disciplinary research projects into the relationships between housing, commuting and job search phenomena, to replace those currently being carried out by the centre for environmental studies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KingThis is not our present intention. But we shall be keeping research needs in these areas under review.