HC Deb 28 June 1999 vol 334 cc39-40W
Dr. Kumar

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government are preparing to implement the recommendation of the report of the Foresight Process Industry Group, "Processing the Future". [87266]

Mr. Battle

The Process Industry Group has made a valuable contribution to the Foresight programme. We welcome their "Processing the Future" report. We are pleased that they are willing to develop their ideas in the second round of Foresight. These will be of special interest to the new Manufacturing 2020 and Chemicals Foresight Panels.

The Government emphasised the importance which it attaches to multi-disciplinary research and closer joint working between the Research Councils in allocating the Science Budget last autumn. The Research Councils are implementing these policies, and are taking account of the report's recommendations in their planning.

As the process industries are so diverse, there is a wide range of innovation initiatives supported by Government and the Research Councils. For example, 21 per cent. of the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council's research grant support is of relevance to process industries. EPSRC also have a number of joint activities in the process industries with other Research Councils. These include the process industries sector of the Innovative Manufacturing Initiative (EPSRC with the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council), Biomolecular Science (BBSRC) and a Medical Engineering LINK programme (EPSRC, BBSRC and the Medical Research Council). In the chemicals sector (perhaps the biggest process industry), DTI and EPSRC support initiatives on process plant instrumentation, catalysis, polymer processing and colloid technology.

Since the publication of the report, we have engaged trade associations from across the processing industries in discussions on the implications of the report. PIG members have made presentations to various learned societies and industrial sectors. As they refine their ideas within the Foresight agenda, we will play close attention to developments.