Written question asked by Andy King (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 December 1998. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Thursday, 3 December 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, What has been the average annual increase in total government spending on science over the last 20 years. - Including figures. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the average annual increase in total Government spending on science over the last 20 years. [61310] Mr. Battle: Information before 1986-97 is not available in the terms requested. The average real terms annual change in total Government spending on Science Engineering and Technology over the 12-year period 1986-87 to 1997-98 was a decrease of £128 million at 1997-98 prices. This excludes National Health Service SET expenditure for which information has been available only since 1995-96.

Secondary information