44. Mr. John P. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support he is giving to research by British scientists on priorities in the reduction of pollution in eastern Europe.
Mr. JacksonMy right hon. Friend announced on 10 January that the science budget for 1990–91 will be £897 million. I am sure that the research councils, the Royal Society and the Fellowship of Engineering will be considering the new opportunities in eastern Europe as they decide how they allocate these funds. I understand that the Natural Environment Research Council is currently contributing to an international research programme on gaseous emission pollution in which several east European countries are participating. In addition, the Agricultural and Food Research Council's Institute of Arable Crops is currently engaged in a number of collaborative projects within eastern Europe. These include a joint initiative with Poland on nitrate and potassium movement in the soils, and a project with Bulgarian scientists on biological control of insects and nematode pests.