HC Deb 22 April 1996 vol 276 c43W
Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much money was spent on the Industrial Research and Technology Unit of the Department of Economic Development in each year since 1990–91; and what is the planned spending for(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; [26225]

(2) how much money is spent on technical clubs established in the textile and food sectors to promote the level of environmental awareness; [26222]

(3) if he will make a statement on the nature business of the technology development programme in the Department of Economic Development. [26224]

Mr. Ancram

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Industrial Research and Technology Unit under its chief executive, Mr. Greg McConnell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from F. G. McConnell to Mr. Eric Insley, dated 22 April 1996: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) to reply to your questions about expenditure on IRTU and on Technical Clubs in the textile and food sectors and about the nature and business of the Technology Development Programme. IRTU's total expenditure since its establishment in March 1992 and planned expenditure for future years is as follows:

£ million
1992–93 14.3 (actual)
1993–94 18.2 (actual)
1994–95 18.2 (actual)
1995–96 16.9 (estimate)
1996–97 17.8 (planned)
1997–98 17.8 (planned)
1898–99 17.8 (planned)

Expenditure on environmental awareness raising for industry and commerce as a whole in Northern Ireland was £29, 339 in 1994/95 and £44, 999 in 1995/96. Within this, the total expenditure on the textile and food Technical Clubs is small (£800 to date) and relates only to the administrative expenses of meetings. The Technology Development Programme (TDP) is administered by IRTU and funded through EU Structural Funds. The total allocation for TDP is £19.4 million for the period 1994–99. To date £11.4 million has been committed to 9 projects; a further £8 million will be committed in October 1996. The aim of TDP is to assist industry and the universities to develop their ability to undertake leading edge, industrially exploitable and commercially focused research. The programme concentrates on five main areas of activity—R&D Facilities, Demonstration Projects, Physical Infrastructure, Collaboration and Calibration, Testing and Standardisation. I hope you will find this reply useful.