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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Research Council held in Luxembourg on 26 June; and if she will make a statement. [5739] Ms Hewitt: The Research Council of 26 June: 1. Held an orientation debate on Commission proposals for the next EU Research and Development Framework Programme. Subsequently the Council adopted conclusions inviting COREPER to pursue its examination of all outstanding issues with a view to enabling the Council to reach a common position as soon as possible. The Council also invited the Commission to provide further clarification on a number of elements of the proposals, including research in support of Community policies and the application of new funding mechanisms. 2. Adopted a Resolution on Science and Society and conclusions on Research Infrastructures. 3. Received progress reports from the Commission on the benchmarking of national research policies, the mobility of researchers and the international dimension of the next Framework Programme. 4. Received a progress report from the Commission on the production of a comprehensive inventory of research into Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. 5. Received a progress report from the Commission on strategic initiatives in biotechnology, on which the Commission plan to issue a communication by the end of the year. 6. Under other business, received a progress report from the Commission on the Global Monitoring on Environment and Security satellite system (GMES).

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

5739; 372 c272W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Biotechnology EU action Research Science Transmissible encephalopathies Satellites EC Research Council

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk