§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report the United Kingdom contribution to CERN in (a) cash terms, (b) real terms and (c) as a percentage of the science budget in each year since 1971.
§ Mr. BrookeThe information requested is as follows:
Financial year Cash terms £ million Real terms* £ million As percentage of science budget 1971–72 8.47 48.4 6.7 1972–73 9.37 53.4 6.7 1973–74 13.64 50.2 9.5 1974–75 16.01 46.7 10.2 1975–76 18.57 43.2 9.7 1976–77 23.16 43.0 10.2 1977–78 23.78 39.4 9.5 1978–79 27.70 37.7 9.8 1979–80 25.25 35.9 7.7 1980–81 22.38 33.9 5.7 1981–82 22.48 30.4 5.0 1982–83 26.56 30.0 5.5 1983–84 32.13 32.4 6.2 1984–85 35.51 35.5 6.5 * By using Swiss currency equivalent of figure in left-hand column, converting that to constant 1984–85 prices using Swiss indices, and reconverting to £ at 1984–85 exchange rate.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list in the Official Report the representations he has received in respect of the United Kingdom's particle physics budget and participation in 110W CERN; and how many of the representations advocated continuing the United Kingdom commitment to that project.
§ Mr. BrookeSince the publication of the Kendrew report my right hon. Friend has received 39 letters concerning particle physics and CERN. Many of these letters included a copy of a resolution adopted by a recent meeting of over 100 particle physicists. All the letters indicated concern at the possibility of the United Kingdom withdrawing from CERN.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with his colleagues in those countries signatory to the 1954 CERN convention concerning the recommendations of the Kendrew committee that the budget of CERN should be cut by 25 per cent. and on the possible withdrawal of the United Kingdom from CERN; and whether he will make a statement on the outcome of those discussions.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend has had no such discussions with his colleagues in CERN member states, but he informed them of the establishment of the Kendrew review group and sent them a copy of the report. Furthermore he has undertaken to consult them should any change be contemplated in the United Kingdom's relationship with CERN.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education (1) what information is available to his Department in respect of the effects on international scientific collaboration of (a) a 25 per cent. cut in the United Kingdom particle physics budget and (b) withdrawal from CERN by the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom;
(2) what information is available to his Department in respect of the impact on the CERN project of a 25 per cent. cut in the United Kingdom particle physics budget.
§ Mr. BrookeAction is in hand to assess the likely effects and implications using a number of sources, but precise assessments are not practicable.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decision in respect of the recommendations of the Kendrew committee.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend is considering the advice he has received from the advisory board for the research councils and the science and engineering research council on the recommendations of the Kendrew review group. An announcement will be made as soon as this consideration, including any necessary consultation with other member states of CERN, is complete.