§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the distribution across the EEC countries of the expressions of interest in the proposed EEC marine science and technology programme; whether Her Majesty's Government have approved this programme; and how the distribution of expressions of interest varies amongst EEC countries as between higher education institutes, research centres and industry.
Mr. JacksonThe Government agreed to a common position in March, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster reported to the House on 7 April, at columns 314–15. The Government expect to agree to the final adoption of this programme at the Community's Council of Ministers (Research) on 6 June. The approximate percentage distribution of expressions of 367W interest among the member states was estimated by the Commission for internal purposes in June 1988, when just over 1,000 had been received, as follows:
per cent. Belgium 4 Federal Republic of Germany 11 Denmark 3 Spain 6 France 22 Greece 5 Italy 9 Ireland 5 Netherlands 4 Portugal 3 United Kingdom 27 EFTA countries 1 The distribution between higher education institutes, research centres and industry for the whole European Community was estimated at 41, 37 and 22 per cent. respectively. The United Kingdom distribution has been estimated at 59, 21 and 20 per cent. respectively. The distribution for other individual states is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. However, I have arranged for a copy of the full list to be placed in the Library of the House.