My Lords, as the Minister fully appreciates, we do not necessarily get the energy at the right time from some of the alternative sources and that brings into play the importance of pumped-storage schemes. Is he aware of concern in the industry that the regulations the Government are abiding by are holding back the development of pumped storage and will he please have a look at this in association with those in his department?

My Lords, as the Minister fully appreciates, we do not necessarily get the energy at the right time from some of the alternative sources and that brings into play the importance of pumped-storage schemes. Is he aware of concern in the industry that the regulations the Government are abiding by are holding back the development of pumped storage and will he please have a look at this in association with those in his department?

My Lords, is it not ironic that at a time of such high unemployment, and we in Wales have the highest level of youth unemployment of any country in Britain, many of our manufacturing concerns have to look overseas to recruit people with science and technology capabilities, whereas so many of our own graduates and others with science skills are enticed away from industry into financial institutions in the City and elsewhere? What do the Government have in mind in order to try and ensure that there is adequate information available for young people and, indeed, that enough young people go into science and technology in order to meet the demands?

My Lords, is it not ironic that at a time of such high unemployment, and we in Wales have the highest level of youth unemployment of any country in Britain, many of our manufacturing concerns have to look overseas to recruit people with science and technology capabilities, whereas so many of our own graduates and others with science skills are enticed away from industry into financial institutions in the City and elsewhere? What do the Government have in mind in order to try and ensure that there is adequate information available for young people and, indeed, that enough young people go into science and technology in order to meet the demands?

What plans he has to develop regional technology centres to establish delivery mechanisms for innovation and technology transfer and offer specific services to small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales.

What plans he has to develop regional technology centres to establish delivery mechanisms for innovation and technology transfer and offer specific services to small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales.

If he will make it his policy to develop a National Technology Strategy for Wales.

If he will make it his policy to develop a National Technology Strategy for Wales.

How much has been allocated to and how much has been spent of the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget, in each of the last four years & list projects which have been funded from the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget in each of last 3 years...

How much has been allocated to and how much has been spent of the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget, in each of the last four years & list projects which have been funded from the Welsh Development Agency's technology growth fund budget in each of last 3 years...

If he will list the Faraday centres established to date in Wales. - Inc fact that at present there are no Faraday centres in the UK.

If he will list the Faraday centres established to date in Wales. - Inc fact that at present there are no Faraday centres in the UK.

If he will make it his policy to require Faraday centres to operate as a network, to include other research and technology organisations and to provide a full service of assistance with innovation; & what steps are being undertaken by DTI to enhance status, role & capability of intermediate organisations...

If he will make it his policy to require Faraday centres to operate as a network, to include other research and technology organisations and to provide a full service of assistance with innovation; & what steps are being undertaken by DTI to enhance status, role & capability of intermediate organisations...

How much funding is currently allocated by his Department towards long-term research programmes for research and technology organisations; and if he will list the research and technology organisations currently given funding for such research. - Inc figures & list.

How much funding is currently allocated by his Department towards long-term research programmes for research and technology organisations; and if he will list the research and technology organisations currently given funding for such research. - Inc figures & list.

What efforts are being undertaken by his Department to attract more scientists and technologists into the senior ranks of the Civil Service.

What efforts are being undertaken by his Department to attract more scientists and technologists into the senior ranks of the Civil Service.

Are there any plans to meet Ministers for Planning & Environment of Soviet Union to discuss opportunities for sale of environmental clean-up & pollution abatement technology developed in UK. (Holding answer 19 Jan 1990).

Are there any plans to meet Ministers for Planning & Environment of Soviet Union to discuss opportunities for sale of environmental clean-up & pollution abatement technology developed in UK. (Holding answer 19 Jan 1990).

Whether position taken by Govt in their vote with consensus on UN General Assembly resolution 43/61 in Dec 1988 remains policy of HMG.

Whether position taken by Govt in their vote with consensus on UN General Assembly resolution 43/61 in Dec 1988 remains policy of HMG.