§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance his Department has provided through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council to the Long Ashton Research726W Station of the Institute of Arable Crops Research since 1997; and what this financial assistance is intended for. [132854]
§ Ms HewittThe main form of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funding support to the Long Ashton Research Station (LARS) is via the Competitive Strategic Grant, which provides funding for basic and strategic research programmes that map onto BBSRC's priorities and underpins LARS's mission. Unlike university grants, for which the Higher Education Funding Councils provide the infrastructure element of "dual funding", the Competitive Strategic Grant and capital funding meets the full costs of the various programmes. BBSRC has also provided equipment and minor works grants. In addition, BBSRC has awarded funds to LARS for research projects which LARS scientists have won in competition with other scientists from the bioscience community.
The table shows the funding of the Long Ashton Research Station from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council since 1997:
£000 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Competitive Strategic Grant 3,415 3,435 3,065 Equipment 175 180 180 Minor Works 70 85 55 Research Grants 675 980 875 Total BBSRC Funding 4,335 4,680 4,175