§ 16. Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the cost effectiveness of the Department's programme of financing science research. [170693]
§ Ms HewittSince 1997, the Department of Trade and Industry has doubled the investment in science and research through the Science Budget—reaching £3 billion in 2005—and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has confirmed that investment will continue to grow over the next Spending Review period.
The UK science and research base is recognised not only for its excellence: UK researchers are the most productive in the G8 countries, and I am confident that our investment will continue to pay dividends for our economy and our society.