§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that there will be no reduction in the number of supercomputing centres now available for British academic research, when responsibilities for these facilities are transferred to the Advisory Body for the Research Councils in April 1991.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthOur general policy is at least to maintain the current overall level of national supercomputing services. The number of centres to provide these services will, in the normal way, remain a matter for review from time to time.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether the Government are planning to expand supercomputing facilities available to British academic research to the levels available to researchers in France and Italy;
(2) what plans he has for supercomputing expansion programmes similar to those being pursued in (a) West Germany, (b) the United States of America and (c) Japan, respectively.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthFrom 1 April 1991, responsibility for national supercomputing facilities for research council and HEI research will transfer to the research council system. My right hon. and learned Friend is awaiting the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on the allocation of the science budget, which was announced on 8 November.