§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of funding her Department intends allocating to support research to help industry take advantage of new technology and higher safety, environmental and other standards of production. [46744]
§ Mr. MorleyDEFRA jointly funds with industry research under the LINK banner; Government sponsors provide up to half the costs. LINK aims to enhance the competitiveness of UK industry and the quality of life through support for managed programmes of pre-competitive research and development. Funding for LINK is won in a competitive process so it is not possible to be precise about the allocation for 2002–03, however it is likely to be in excess of £5 million.