§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Office of Science and Technology has decided to discontinue the Marine Foresight Panel, while continuing to Foresight work in nine categories none of which appears to cover marine or other sea-related developments; and, if so, why, in view of the backlog in marine policy co-ordination accumulated since the abolition of the oversight role of the Lord Privy Seal for Maritime Policy in 1979. [HL3546]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The next round of the Foresight programme is due to start in April 1999. Proposals have been subject to widespread consultation over a period of months. Final decisions will be taken shortly.