§ Mr. Radiceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with employers on the subject of what they seek from the school process.
§ Sir Keith JosephAt the meeting of the National Economic Development Council on 11 January I reaffirmed the importance the Government attaches to this matter, and indicated my intention to hold meetings with a wide range of employers. This was welcomed by the council. Those meetings have not yet begun but my officials and I have had a number of relevant discussions with representatives of individual employers and employers' organisations.
£ million (October 1983 prices) 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 SERC Astronomy, space and radio board 30.0 23.3 22.5 21.1 19.9 Engineering and science boards 0.4 0.4 10 1.3 1.7 Total SERC 30.4 23.7 23.5 22.4 21.6 NERC 0.7 1.1 1.7 2.2 2.8 The phrase 'space related activities' is open to wide interpretation. For instance, in the figures for NERC it has been interpreted to include work on the applications of remotely sensed satellite data and provision of support facilities for such applications work both at universities and in NERC establishments. It also includes major programmes on the magnetosphere and ionosphere, but does not include certain other research grants given to universities.
In addition to the expenditure quoted above there was a small expenditure by the Medical Research Council between 1976–1983 (approx £112K).