§ Joyce QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on trends in Government spending on research and development. [126553]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI refer my right hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement I made on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 46WS.
§ Joyce QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the impact of Government research and development spending on English regions. [126552]
§ Jacqui SmithNo such assessment has been made. However, Government research and development spending—both within higher education institutes and outside of higher education institutes—is tracked regionally through the ONS regional trend series. The most recent figures available—for 2000—were published last year (ONS, Regional Trends 37, Table 13.9).