§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures are proposed to ensure equitable geographic distribution of science research facilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveDecisions on the siting of publicly funded research facilities are taken on their individual merits.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans his Department has to encourage private sector partnerships with university science departments and university research institutes.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI refer the hon. Gentleman to the 2 February debate in the House on the research council orders, during which I set out my immediate plans for encouraging private sector partnerships with the science and engineering base,Official Report, column 895, through, for example, the "realising our potential" awards —ROPA—grants scheme and the industry-led CASE postgraduate studentship awards.
At my request, the Director General of the Research Councils is embarking on a fundamental examination of the research council programmes in order to advise on the overall health of the science and engineering base, and on the action required to take forward the policies set out in the White Paper "Realising our Potential: A Strategy for Science and Technology"—Cm 2250, May 1993.