§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made to the European Commission on funding for research and development under the European framework IV programmes. [33133]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorInformation on representations made to the European Commission on this subject is not held centrally. The budgets for the fourth framework programme for research and technological development were established in decisions 1110/94/EC and 94/268/Euratom and the decisions which subsequently amended them to take account of the enlargement of the European Union. The Commission has recently proposed an increase of 700 mecu in the funding of the programme. The UK has opposed this through the usual negotiation machinery both because of its implications for the European Union's financial perspectives and because no convincing case has been made for the additional expenditure on its merits.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy in respect of the principle and structure of the research and development task forces under the European framework IV programmes. [33134]
§ Mr. TaylorThe UK has welcomed the task force initiative. Task forces can play a useful role in improving prioritisation and co-ordination in the fourth framework programme as long as they are not too prescriptive. Experience suggests that they are most effective when they involve member states closely, focus on clearly defined areas where publicly funded R and D can make a real contribution to resolving a market failure and consult widely and meaningfully with industry and other relevant interests. It is important that framework programme IV's450W established decision-making procedures are fully respected in any implementation of task force recommendations.