§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the response from the chief executive of the Natural Environment Research Council in relation to science-based archaeology.
§ Mr. David HuntThe policy framework governing the research councils' missions was set out in the White Paper "Realising Our Potential". It is for the research councils to determine priorities between grant proposals and to decide how to assess competing proposals. In proposing changes affecting science-based archaeology, the chief executive of NERC has said that the council wishes to support excellent science in this area consistent with the council's mission. I hope that those who are concerned about his specific proposals will take the opportunity offered to discuss the way forward with him.