§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking on the Science and Engineering Research Council report about the current level of funding of research into (a) new alloys and ceramics and (b) optical computers.
§ Mr. WaldenThese areas of research were included amongst the growth points mentioned in the Science and Engineering Research Council's corporate plan published in December.
On the advice of the ABRC the Secretary of State has increased the funds available to the SERC for strategic research in science and technology for 1986–87 by £8 million and increases have also been made to the Council's planning figures for 1987–88 and 1988–89. The precise distribution of these additional funds between competing priority areas is a matter for decision by the council but I understand that the two areas raised in the question are among those likely to benefit.