HL Deb 16 December 1982 vol 437 cc843-4WA
Lord Ironside

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(i) What contributions were made to the following international organisations for research and development in each of the last five years;

(ii) Whether these contributions are shown in the budgets of the departments concerned; and

(iii) What was the total value of the contracts received from each organisation by British companies and other bodies during the same period:

  1. (a) European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN);
  2. (b) European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).

The Earl of Swinton

The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) is responsible for payment of the U.K. subscription to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). The Medical Research Council (MRC) has similar responsibilities with regard to the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) which in turn finances the activities of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). Both SERC and MRC receive grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science, and their respective contributions to CERN and EMBC are shown separately in the appropriate Votes in Supply Estimates and Appropriation Accounts.

The contribution to CERN in each of the last five vears in cash terms, has been as follows:

£
1977–78 22,475,000
1978–79 27,696,000
1979–80 25,250,000
1980–81 22,381,000
1981–82 22,475,000

The value of contracts received from CERN by U.K. companies and other bodies over the same period has been as follows:

Swiss Francs
Calendar Year British Companies Other bodies— mostly companies in member slates (excluding UK) USA and other non-member states Total
1977 27,482,000 319,982,000 347,464,000
1978 21,544,000 293,096,000 314,640,000
1979 18,957,000 276,323,000 295,280,000
1980 21,608,000 284,329,000 305,937,000
1981 15,230,000 196,191,000 211,421,000

The contribution to EMBC in each of the last five years has been as follows:

£
1977–78 190,000
1978–79 216,000
1979–80 215,000
1980–81 209,000
1981–82 233,000

The activities of EMBO do not include placement of contracts with commercial companies. EMBO was set up to award training fellowships and to assist in the organisation of short training courses. It does not place contracts in its own name.

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), to which MRC is also responsible for paying the U.K. subscription, is an organisation which is separate from and independent of EMBO. The contribution to EMBL in each of the last five years has been as follows:

£
1977–78 877,000
1978–79 964,000
1979–80 998,000
1980–81 924,000
1981–82 931,000

The value of contracts awarded by over the same period, broken down as between U.K. companies and other bodies, cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.