§ 98. Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision he has made for research into the greenhouse effect in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.
Mr. JacksonI understand that in 1989–90 the research councils have allocated about £29.3 million towards research into all aspects of global climate change, including research into understanding the processes of climate change and the impact of such changes. This amount includes about £8 million by the Agriculture and Food Research Council, £19.3 million by the Natural Environment Research Council and some £2 million by the Science and Engineering Research Council. In addition, other research undertaken by the councils, especially AFRC, bears on environmental aspects.
As stated in his answer on 15 November to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) at columns 272–76, my right hon. Friend has announced allocations totalling £18.6 million in 1990–91 and 1991–92 in respect of the construction costs of the RRS James Clark Ross, and a minimum allocation of £2 million per annum for the years 1990–91 to 1992–93 to provide for a remote sensing instrument for the ERS-2 satellite. He also announced that he has sought the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on the allocation of the science budget for 1990–91 and 1991–92. His decisions after receiving that advice will be announced in due course. Within the totals allocated, it will be for the research councils to decide their priorities for specific research areas.