Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by George Freeman (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 8 July 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Science and Innovation Industry

Question: May I say how nice it is to see such a heavyweight business and finance team on the Front Bench? I would also like to declare an interest as someone who has had a career in business before coming to the House. Does the Minister agree that, in order to unlock the significant economic potential of our science and research base, instead of scattering money to the four corners of the kingdom, as the previous Government tended to do, we should focus our money on those centres that have a demonstrable track record in commercialising technology, such as the excellent John Innes research centre and the Norwich research park on the edge of my constituency?

Answer: The John Innes centre is a centre for plant science, but that does not mean it was a planted question... I can assure the House that we are looking very carefully at the important issue of concentrating research funding in the areas where it will yield its greatest results. However, concentration means concentration of research in departments. It need not be done university by university.

Secondary information