§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the basis of his policy for co-operating with the Wellcome Foundation and its board of trustees in funding scientific research. [121759]
§ Ms HewittThe Office of Science and Technology is committed to working with all organisations that make a contribution to the science base and where there are clear benefits to be realised from working together. The Wellcome Trust is one of the largest biomedical research charities in the world. OST therefore co-operates with the Wellcome Trust on a number of funding initiatives aimed at ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of scientific research. In addition, the individual Research Councils work with the Trust on projects of mutual interest.
Such initiatives have been, and will continue to be, of great benefit to the Government, the Trust and the UK.