§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the launch of the technology foresight programme on 13 September, indicating what additional resources have been committed to the programme.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe purpose of foresight is to develop working partnerships between industry and academia in identifying market and technology opportunities. I am delighted at the constructive response from both to the consultative seminars we are holding across the country on how this might best be achieved. The programme is being guided by a steering group of industrialists and academics chaired by the chief scientific adviser. A budget of approximately £1 million has been allocated to the programme over this and the next financial year.