§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of future funding of research in universities and polytechnics by private sources; and how this affects his plans for financial support from public sources.
Mr. JacksonWe have encouraged higher education institutions to develop their externally funded research and consultancy, and welcome the rapid increase that has taken place. However, in keeping with our assurance that this is institutions' private business, we have no estimate for future growth and we take no account of this income in our public expenditure planning.