§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current practice on the effect of the receipt of grant income to Government research institutions from EC research programmes on the available resources of those institutions; and what arrangements are made for research institutions which are "next steps" agencies.
§ Sir John CopePayments from EC research programmes are available in full to add to the resources of Government research institutions. The precise level of resources available to a Government research institution is a matter for decision by the departments which are responsible for them. This is so whether or not the research institutions are "next steps" agencies.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what income the Government derived from EC research framework programme grants placed in Government research institutions and agencies in each year since 1990–91.
§ Sir John CopeThe bulk of EC research framework programme grants coming to the United Kingdom are paid directly to the private sector, including universities. Details of receipts to the private sector are not held centrally. Expenditure in relation to contracts with Government departments, agencies and research councils, which count as public sector receipts, was as follows:
Year £ million 1990–91 5.0 1991–92 9.5 11992–93 8.6 1 estimated outturn