HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 c1053W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the(a) total and (b) business research and development is as a percentage of GDP for (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland. [36413]

Ruth Kelly

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 25 February 2002: As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about what the (a) total and (b) business research and development as a percentage of GDP for (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland. (36413) The latest available information is in respect of 1999. The UK total research & development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP for 1999 is 1.8 per cent. Total R&D data in respect of 2000 will be available from March 2002. There is no regional breakdown available and therefore no information is available for Scotland. UK Business R&D as a percentage of GDP for 1999 is 1.2 per cent. Business R&D as a percentage of GDP for 1999 for Scotland is 0.5 per cent. Regional business R&D as a percentage of GDP for 2000 will not be available until the completion of 2000 regional GDP figures in April 2002.