§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he received the annual report of the Economic and Social Research Council for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe annual report of the Economic and Social Research Council has been submitted to me under the requirements of the Science and Technology Act 1965 and a copy is being laid before the House today.
I was most interested to read about the council's achievements during its 25th anniversary year. I would note in particular its publication of new "Postgraduate Training Guidelines" issued after widespread consultation to help establish higher standards of training for research students in the social sciences; and the launch of the ESRC's largest-ever research initiative to examine the causes and consequences of global environmental change.
I congratulate the council on these and its other achievements during its silver jubilee year.