§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which EC countries have long-term birth cohort studies; if a framework for cohort studies will be discussed at the EC research CREST meeting this week; and if he will make a statement on the options for a common EC framework for comparative cohort studies.
§ Mr. Robert JacksonI understand that the United Kingdom is the only EC country which has national long-term birth cohort studies. This matter was not discussed at last week's EC research CREST meeting. The European Commission, together with member states, are considering the inclusion of a separate social science programme within the fourth EC R and D framework programme, but it is too early to say how social sciences will be covered. We are not aware of any EC-wide initiatives outside the framework programme.