BRITAIN'S SCIENTIFIC BASE

EDM number 831 in 1990-91, proposed by Menzies Campbell on 14/05/1991.

That this House is deeply concerned by the serious underfunding of science and research in Britain; notes that the 1991-92 research budget increase of 2.7 per cent, is below half the estimated rate of inflation for 1991-92; further notes that the Science and Engineering Research Council will face deficits of ú40 million in 1991; regrets that prolonged underfunding has jeopardised important research projects, has accelerated the brain drain and is hampering the United Kingdom's ability to compete internationally; agrees with the Lord's Select Committee conclusion that the 1991-92 science budget is inadequate for 'the continuing development of the country's scientific base' and calls upon the Government, as a matter of extreme urgency, to heed the recommendations of the Lords' Select Committee report and make available a further ú12 million to research councils for 1991, as a first step towards ensuring the recovery of Britain's scientific base.

This motion has been signed by a total of 18 MPs.