§ Mr. Alexanderasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community Research Council on 13 December.
§ Mr. David TrippierThe Research Council met on 13 December 1983. I represented Her Majesty's Government.
Five main issues were discussed.
The principle agreement reached concerned the programme of the Joint Research Centre for 1984–87. The main areas of activity in the new programme include nuclear research, non-nuclear energy and research into safety and the environment. Agreement in principle was reached on the Governing Board of the Centre. Agreement was also reached on a programme for the decommissioning of nuclear installations.
Following detailed discussion, the Council agreed upon all aspects of the management and administration of the proposed European Strategic Programme of Research in Information Technology (ESPRIT). No decision was reached on the finance of this programme. The Council also discussed proposals for programmes of research into non-nuclear energy and industrial technology. These as well as the ESPRIT programme, are to be discussed further and the Council will return to them in the New Year.