HC Deb 13 July 1998 vol 316 c46W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much public money has been allocated to date to the Joint Research Equipment Initiative; how much more will be allocated; and what is the planned limit for public contributions. [49946]

Mr. Battle

In 1996, the first year of the Joint Research Equipment Initiative, £25 million of public money was allocated to the scheme. In 1997, this figure rose to £35 million. The amount of public money allocated to date for 1998 is £25 million.

Future public contributions are dependent on allocations from the Science Budget and DfEE.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to announce the results of the third round of the Joint Research Equipment Initiative. [49945]

Mr. Battle

As stated in the JREI rules, which were available from the Higher Education funding councils' web sites until the closure of the competition on 31 May 1998, it is expected that the results of the third round will be announced by the end of January 1999.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many bids have been received for the third round of the Joint Research Equipment Initiative. [49944]

Mr. Battle

Applications are still being checked for eligibility, but initial indications are that some 400 applications have been received for JREI 98.