HC Deb 10 February 1988 vol 127 cc254-5W
42. Mr. Irving

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for strengthening collaborative research and development.

Mr. Butcher

The White Paper, "DTI — the Department for Enterprise," which was placed before the House on 12 January announced important initiatives to strengthen collaborative research, including programmes on information technology and superconductivity. On 3 February my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science announced five programmes in the LINK initiative. These programmes have a total Government contribution of £42 million over five years. One of the principal aims of LINK is to strengthen collaboration between the science base and industry.

59. Mr. Stott

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures he is taking to evaluate the effectiveness of spending on civil research and development in the United Kingdom; and what are the results.

Mr. Butcher

It is primarily for the market to evaluate research and development activity in the private sector.

As far as my Department's programmes of support for R and D are concerned, we undertake regular reviews of their effectiveness and, in particular, their value for money. Where such reviews show that some adjustment to our approach is justified we take appropriate measures to achieve this.