HL Deb 12 April 2000 vol 612 cc43-4WA
Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With what authority did the Lord Sainsbury of Turville announce a definitive spending commitment arising from the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review. [HL1802]

The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

The £25 million additional money to be made available to the North West for research will be provided over the years 2001–02 to 2003–04, the period of the next Spending Review, the outcome of which will be announced later this year. The funding can be accommodated within the department's baseline without affecting the already announced allocations to the Research Councils, to other funded bodies, and to programmes and schemes such as the Joint Infrastructure Fund, Foresight LINK Awards and University Challenge.

Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In addition to the spending commitment arising from the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review announced by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville, what other commitments have been determined; and when will they be announced to Parliament. [HL1803]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

There are no current plans to announce any commitments over and above the department's already published allocations up to 2001–02 before the outcome of the Spending Review later this year.