§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study his Department has made of the consequences of the level of funding for equipment in research laboratories on the movement of scientists from the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. BrookeThe responses to the ABRC's brain drain inquiry suggest that dissatisfaction with the level of funding for research equipment is one of a number of reasons for British scientists taking research appointments overseas. The responses show that the provision in last year's PES settlement of additional funds to the UGC for re-equipping some of the best university research groups has been a factor in persuading some senior researchers to stay in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give what statistics he has available about the quitting from the United Kingdom of people of the highest scientific calibre to research institutes and laboratories in North America, Europe and Australia in the spheres of electronics, biochemistry and biophysics.
§ Mr. BrookeNational statistics are not available. However the ABRC's report to my right hon. Friend on their brain drain inquiry gives some figures for losses overseas from the university and research council groups covered by their survey. Copies of the ABRC's report will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the Advisory Body on Research Councils' report to his Department on the brain drain of human resources particularly in the areas of high technology and areas of scientific excellence.
§ Mr. BrookeYes. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.