§ Mr. WarrenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the EEC framework research programme and Her Majesty's Government's participation.
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§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe 1987–1991 EC framework programme for research and development has funding of 5.4 billion ecus (£3.6 billion). At the Research Council of Ministers on 15 December 1989 where I represented Her Majesty's Government the Council reached unanimous agreement on a new framework programme for 1990–1994 with funding of 5.7 billion ecus (£4.2 billion) (I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 17 January,Official Report, column 318.). There is, therefore, a two-year overlap between the two programmes. The United Kingdom currently contributes 19 per cent, to Community research and development expenditure.
United Kingdom scientists, research establishments, universities and companies participate in all the specific programmes under the framework programme. Individual projects require participation by organisations from more than one member state and the United Kingdom is typically involved in 50 to 80 per cent, of projects and receives 20 to 25 per cent, of the funding available.