§ Q47. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Prime Minister what factors she takes into account in formulating a national policy for science; whether, in this respect, she is satisfied with co-ordination between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Industry; and when she expects to be able to provide statistics for expenditure on research and development in science and technology more recent than the 1978 figure given on 1 December, Official Report, columns 95 and 96.
§ The Prime MinisterMinisters in charge of Departments are individually responsible for policy in connection with scientific research and development within their own areas of concern. It is for each Minister to decide on the factors to be taken into account in the exercise of his responsibilities and to ensure that co-ordination takes place where these touch the interests of other Departments. I am satisfied with that achieved between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Industry in this respect. More generally, I190W have said that in appropriate cases I myself would play a co-ordinating role, and in this connection shall be examining carefully the findings and recommendations in the report on science and government from the Select Committee on Science and Technology in another place.
Statistics of total research and development activities are the sum of results of inquiries made into central Government expenditure each year, and industry every third year, together with estimates made for the remaining sectors. An inquiry into the level of spending in industry in 1981 will be carried out early in 1982, and, assuming the timetable of previous years is achieved, first estimates should be available in the middle of 1983.