HC Deb 26 July 1982 vol 28 c399W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of the national income has been devoted to scientific research projects in each of the past three years.

Mr. Butcher

Total expenditure on research and development (science and technology) was 2.8 per cent. of the national income (ie net national product) in 1978. This is the most recent year for which the industrial component of this expenditure is available. No surveys of expenditure by industry on R&D were held for 1979 and 1980; results of the survey for 1981 will be available during 1983.