§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the distribution of the science budget in 1994–95.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe distribution of the science budget for 1994–95 represents the first allocation of funding to the new research council system outlined in the White Paper on Science, Engineering and Technology which I presented to the House on 26 May 1993. On 1 April 1994 three new research councils come into existence, namely the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council. The activities of the Agricultural and Food Research Council and the Science and Engineering Research Council will transfer to the new and existing research councils on 1 April.
I have discussed the allocations with the Director General of Research Councils and have decided that, subject to parliamentary approval of the Supply Estimates in due course, the science budget of £1,236.5 million should be allocated as follows:
Allocations for 1994–95 £ million Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council 171.8 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 364.0 Economic and Social Research Council 58.9 Medical Research Council 269.2 Natural Environment Research Council 155.4 Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council 184.9 Royal Society 20.1 Royal Academy of Engineering 2.2 OST initiatives/policy studies, CEST subscription 3.6 Other, including payments to pensioners of the Science and Engineering Research Council and industrial quota CASE awards 6.4 TOTAL 1,236.5 These figures include additional funding for activities of high scientific priority and also for the introduction of some new pilot schemes targeted specifically at researchers working alongside industry. Further details are set out in the paper "Allocation of the Science Budget 1994–95" which I have placed in the Library of the House.