§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the research programmes and (b) the activities undertaken in Wales and funded by his Department, and the total estimated 509W annual expenditure on each in 1998–99; and what proportion of this funding will be transferred to the National Assembly for Wales when it has been established. [63480]
§ Mr. RookerDecisions on the placing of research contracts are based on the scientific quality and value for money of research proposals and not on the geographical location of contractors. The Ministry expects to pay some510W £125 million for research in 1998–99, spread between contractors throughout the UK. Some £7.8 million of this sum will be paid to Welsh contractors, but Wales will benefit from all relevant research regardless of where it is carried out. Post-devolution, it is intended that the Ministry will retain responsibility for the budget for R&D carried out in England and Wales. The National Assembly for Wales will be consulted about priorities for R&D and these will be reflected in the programme of work commissioned.