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Business of the House

This issue has now been raised twice in two days. The hon. Lady cannot say that there has not been some democratic input, given the questions raised not only with me but with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The Government are committed to improving the United Kingdom’s science base, into which we have put a great deal of extra resources. We have encouraged the development of science in the UK because we recognise that that is important not only in terms of understanding the implications of policy for the future in areas such as climate change but as a vital contribution to our future economic fortunes.