§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in reviewing Link.
§ Mr. David HuntI have today placed in the Library of the House the report of the recently completed review of Link.
Link is an important initiative which supports research projects undertaken in partnership between industry and the science base. The review report makes a number of recommendations to improve the operation of the Link mechanism. These include proposals to streamline approval mechanisms; to increase flexibility and to facilitate and encourage the exploitation of knowledge generated in the Link projects. The Government intend to implement these recommendations, further enhancing Link's effectiveness and its contribution to wealth creation and improvements in the quality of life.
We expect Link to be an important mechanism for implementing the outcomes of the technology foresight programme, in partnership between industry, the research base and Government. In announcing the allocation of the science budget on 2 February, I earmarked £3 million in 1995–96 to fund the research council's contribution to new Link programmes. With contributions from other Government Departments and industry these new programmes will target key areas of promise and importance identified by technology foresight.
I am establishing a new Link board, replacing the existing Link steering group, to advise Government on the operation of Link. The board's principal role will be to take an independent strategic oyerview of the Link initiatives and its portfolio of programmes. Its membership will be:
- Dr. John Parnaby CBE FEng (Chairman)
- Susan Bird
- Dr. Alan Calder
- Dr. Ashok Ganguly
- Professor Stan Mason
- Professor John Mavor FEng FRSE
- Herb Nahapiet
- Dr. Brian Richards CBE
- Phillip Ruffles FEng
- Professor David Wallace FRS
- Dr. Robert Whelan
The Department of Trade and Industry, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the 534W Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council will be represented on the board at a senior level.