Written question asked by Michael Connarty (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 March 1996. It was answered by Ian Taylor (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 March 1996 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: If he will comment on his policy towards public sector research establishments. - Including ref to "Multi-departmental Scrutiny of public Sector Research Establishments" (Cm 2991).

Answer: Mr. Connarty: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his policy towards public sector research establishments.[21259] Mr. Ian Taylor: The Government set out their policy towards public sector research establishments in their response to the "Multi-departmental Scrutiny of Public Sector Research Establishments", published in September 1995 (Cm 2991). This initiated a programme of prior options reviews of establishments, to allow Ministers collectively to take a strategic view of the UK's public sector research establishments. Each review is addressing the relationship of the establishment concerned to others in similar or related fields and will consider, among other things, the potential for privatisation or rationalisation. The results of these reviews will be considered by Ministers collectively, with the aim of completing the major part of the work by the end of 1996.

Secondary information