§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the resources devoted to science and technology research as a percentage of his Department's total budget in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. ButcherMost of the Department of Trade and Industry's scientific and technological assistance is provided for development work as well as research and it is not possible to disaggregate the research element. This assistance accounted for 6.3 per cent. of the Department's expenditure in 1979–80, 6.2 per cent. in 1980–81, 6.2 per cent. in 1981–82, 12.0 per cent. in 1982–83, 21.3 per cent. in 1983–84 and 24.8 per cent. (estimated) in 1984–85.