§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications he has received on the proposed establishment of a European research area; and how much money the Community has spent in the United Kingdom for research projects chosen by the European Community. [121633]
§ Ms HewittI have been asked to reply.
The Commission issued a Communication "Towards a European Research Area" [COM (00)6] on 18 January 2000. An explanatory memorandum on this Communication was deposited in the House of Commons and House of Lords on the 17 March 2000. It is expected that at its meeting on 15 June the Research Council will adopt a Council Resolution as a formal response to this Communication.
The European Community's main instrument for funding scientific research and development is the Framework Programme. This is administered by 486W the European Commission. As a matter of policy the Commission do not publish data showing the amount of funding awarded on a country-by-country basis.