HC Deb 24 April 1990 vol 171 cc124-5W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much, for each year from 1980 to 1989, inclusive, was spent by his Department on environmental research to meet(a) United Kingdom needs, (b) European needs, and (c) global needs.

Mr. Trippier

[holding answer 23 April 1990]: The expenditure of the Department of the Environment on environmental research to meet United Kingdom needs between 1980 and 1989 is as follows:

Year £ million
1980–81 24.1
1981–82 23.7
1982–83 21.3
1983–84 20.4

Year £ million
1984–85 20.8
1985–86 24.9
1986–87 25.7
1987–88 27.3
1988–89 29.9
1989–90 35.5

None of the above expenditure has met European needs directly. The above expenditure does, however, cover research on global issues amounting to £190,000 in 1988–89 and £950,000 in 1989–90.