§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what importance he attaches to the work of the Social Science Research Council in supporting research in Scotland; and which projects are concerned.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe council has supported valuable research projects in Scotland. The SSRC publication "Research supported by the Social Science Research Council 1981", which is available in the Library, gives full details.
§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the Social Science Research Council budget is spent in Scotland in research of United Kingdom relevance; and if he will take steps to ensure the continuance of such research in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe SSRC does not allocate a particular percentage of its budget to Scottish or any other group of institutions—projects are selected on their merits. The proportion of the budget which comes to Scottish institutions can therefore vary from year to year, but I have no evidence to suggest that Scottish institutions receive less than an adequate share of such funds.
§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what non-governmental sources of support for social research are available in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartPrivate foundations are the principal non-governmental sources of funds for social research. They generally operate on a national and international basis, and Scottish institutions compete with others for these funds.