§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on(a) current and (b) future funding levels for university scientists in the UK. [155261]
§ Ms HewittThe Government has invested heavily in the science and engineering base, of which the research conducted in universities forms the larger part. In the current spending review period the science budget is growing at 10 per cent, year-on-year in real terms, building on the average 7 per cent, growth over the previous spending review period, and reaching just short of £3 billion by 2005–06. The recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of his intention to develop a 10-year investment framework for science and investment, to be announced at the time of the next spending review settlement, signals the Government's continuing long-term commitment to science.
Further details of current and future funding levels by Government Departments and Research Councils are set out in 'The Forward Look 2003 Government funded science, engineering and technology', copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.