§ Lord Lewis of Newnhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What funding they have given to research on air pollution over the last four years; and what the basis was for their recent decision no longer to provide funding for research into the health effects of environmental outdoor and indoor air pollution. [HL970]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health has contributed around £3.2 million to research on air pollution over the last four years. The Air and Environment Quality Division in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) has contributed around £35.7 million. Other parts of DETR and other Government departments also contribute.
Due to competing priorities and the fact that a major research programme on outdoor air pollution has recently been completed, the Department of Health has not funded a follow-up programme although some small projects have been funded. Research in this area will be considered again as priorities for research are reassessed each year.