HC Deb 01 May 1987 vol 115 cc236-7W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been awarded in grants by the Science and Engineering Research Council to education institutions and others in each year since 1979: how much the council will disburse in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walden

[pursuant to his reply, 8 April 1987, c. 220]: The question printed in the Official Report did not relate to the answer given. The question is as above; the answer remains as printed at column 220

The information requested is as follows:

SERC research grants to education institutions and others
Financial year Amount £ million (Cash)
1979–80 43.3
1980–81 56.2
1981–82 62.3
1982–83 67.6
1983–84 70.4
1984–85 78.8
1985–86 87.0
1986–87 198.4
1987–88 2103.7
1 Provisional outturn
2 Estimates

The Science and Engineering Research Council's total grant-in-aid from the science budget in 1987–88 is £350 million. SERC's overall allocation is determined by my right hon. Friend in the light of advice from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. The SERC is primarily responsible for deciding priorities within its overall allocation.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been disbursed by the Science and Engineering Research Council teaching in companies scheme in each year since the scheme was introduced; how much has been disbursed to (a) individuals and (b) companies in Yorkshire and Humberside in each year since this scheme was introduced; how much is to be disbursed to individuals and companies in Yorkshire and Humberside under the council's latest allocation; what representations about this allocation he has received; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walden

[pursuant to his reply, 31 March 1987, c. 447]: The answer printed in the Official Report is incorrect. The answer is as printed in the Official Report for 3 April at column 631

The following table shows the information requested in the first part of the question:

Amount disbursed by SERC on teaching company scheme
£K
Financial Year Net Expenditure3
1976–77 24.5
1977–78 81.5
1978–79 177.5
1979–80 231.5
1980–81 606.0
1981–82 663.5
1982–83 1,006.0
1983–84 1,600.0
1984–85 2,027.0
1985–86 2,452.5
1986–87 12,760.0
1987–88 23,585.0
1 Provisional outturn
2 Estimates
3 The teaching company scheme is jointly funded. Up to 1984–85, it was funded on a 50–50 basis by the SERC and the Department of Trade and Industry. Since 1985–86, the Economic and Social Research Council has contributed an additional £80,000 a year matched by the DTI. The Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development joined the scheme in 1986–87 when it contributed £20,000. Its estimated contribution in 1987–88 is £150,000.

Because of the way in which TCS records are held disproportionate cost would be involved in extracting figures for a particular region such as Yorkshire and Humberside. No representations about regional allocations have been received.

TCS grants are made to education institutes and not to individuals or companies.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been awarded in grants by the Science and Engineering Research Council to (a) education institutions and (b) others in Yorkshire and Humberside in each year since 1979; how much the council will disburse in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walden

[pursuant to his reply, 8 April 1987, c. 220]: The answer printed in the Official Report is incorrect. The answer is as printed in the Official Report for 31 March at column 447The Science and Engineering Research Council has been asked for this information. I shall reply as soon as possible.

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