§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the level of funding given to the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in each year since 1992, in real terms. [7581]
§ Mr. BattleThe actual allocations to the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in each year since 1994–95 were:
£ million Year Actual 1997–98 prices 1994–95 204.629 221.998 1995–96 201.756 213.031 1996–97 208.393 214.124 1997–98 200.650 200.650 1. The figures include the cost of PPARC's International Subscriptions.
2. Real terms comparisons are based ont he latest GDP deflator.
3. Prior to 1994–95, PPARC's areas of expertise formed part of the responsibilities of the Science and Engineering Research Council. Figures for previous years are therefore unavailable.
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the budget for the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council was determined prior to her Department's spending review. [7585]
§ Mr. BattleIn January this year, in accordance with standard practice, the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council was given a financial allocation for 1997–98 and indicative planning figures for the following two years. These allocations will be subject to the same scrutiny as any other expenditure plans within the remit of my Department's spending review.
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact of ending the process of the compulsory competitive tendering of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council's purchase of telescope delivery and instrumentation. [7584]
§ Mr. BattleThe Government's decision to release the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) from the obligation of competitive tendering 597W will allow PPARC to reorganise the Royal Observatories in the way which best meets their scientific requirements. PPARC is now beginning the process of securing the scientific and cost advantages in bringing elements of the Royal Observatories' work together in a single Astronomy Technology Centre.
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the sum spent on administration by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in each year since 1992, in real terms. [7582]
§ Mr. BattleThe Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council was established on 1 April 1994 and has expended the following sums on administration (in real terms, at 1997–98 prices):
- 1994–95: £5.750 million
- 1995–96: £5.279 million
- 1996–97: £4.521 million.