§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the recommendations of the technology foresight panel on transport; if he will list the organisations involved; and what funding his Department is providing. [11317]
§ Mr. NorrisMy Department welcomes the findings of the technology foresight initiative, particularly the recommendations of the transport panel. The Department's research activities already reflect a reasonable alignment with the transport panel's recommendations, and will develop taking its findings fully into account.
The Department aims to lend support as far as possible to the panel's two infrastructure projects: the informed traveller and urban clear zones. My officials are actively pursuing, with the members of the transport panel, how these projects can best be supported.
My Department will be announcing shortly a new LINK research programme which will reflect the technology foresight recommendations. In addition, my Department is participating with other public and private sector organisations in a project which has been submitted for support under the foresight challenge scheme—launched by my hon. Friend the Minister for Science and Technology on 25 September 1995. However, I am not yet in a position to list any organisations or the resources involved.