§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what account is taken by Her Majesty's Government (a) when fixing the science budget and (b) 461W when allocating that budget between the research councils of the particular requirements of the geological sciences; and if he will made a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeWhen determining the science budget, the Government have to have regard to their wider public expenditure responsibilities and to consider the overriding need to keep public expenditure within cash limits. In preparing its advice to my right hon. Friend on the allocation of the science budget between the research councils and other funded bodies, the advisory board for the research councils takes account of the requirements of the geological sciences, by analysis and discussion of the scientific priorities identified firstly by each research council and other body in receipt of funds from the science budget and secondly by the Natural Environment Research Council across all its own responsibilities. In so doing, the ABRC has the benefit of the views of the appropriate department chief scientists by virtue of their membership of the board. In considering the ABRC's advice my right hon. Friend takes account of any relevant wider factors.