§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the benefits to the United Kingdom in the past two years from the presence of a Science Minister in the Cabinet.
§ Mr. WaldegraveSince the last election, the Government have published a White Paper on Science, Engineering and Technology (Cm 2250), the first major policy review for over 20 years; restructured the research councils with mission statements focused on wealth creation, the quality of life and user needs; launched a technology foresight programme to help industrialists and scientists identify market and technological opportunities over the next 10 to 20 years; inaugurated a major campaign to promote the public understanding of science; published a forward look representing a first step towards developing a process of annual critical review of the balance and direction of SET, across the whole of the public sector; agreed with our European partners a fourth Community framework programme for science and technology, reflecting in many respects United Kingdom priorities and maintained the budget for the science base in real terms.