Trade and Industry written question – answered at on 1 March 2006.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
(1) what the Government's plans are for closing the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology research sites in the next 10 years; and what representations he has received on this;
(2) what evidence the Natural Environment Research Council presented to his Department as a basis for its decision to close four Centre for Ecology and Hydrology research sites; and what assessment he has made of this evidence;
(3) what guidance the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) was given before its board decided to close (a) Winfrith, South Dorset and (b) other NERC research facilities.
The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and decisions on its future are the responsibility of NERC. The science budget allocation to NERC has doubled since 1997, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining the quality of environmental, research in the UK. NERC is responsible for determining the details of how this funding is allocated to specific activities. NERC is currently considering the input from a wide consultation with stakeholders on proposals to place CEH onto a sustainable financial footing, and decisions are expected to be taken by NERC Council in March.
Officials from the Office of Science and Technology attend the meetings of NERC Council as observers; these meetings have included discussions concerning the future of CEH. Following NERC Council in December 2005, NERC issued a Statement of Intent regarding the future of CEH, accompanied by a copy of the CEH Business Plan containing the rationale for NERC's proposals.
The Department has received a number of letters from Members of Parliament, trade unions, environmental organisations, members of the public and others, about NERC's proposal to restructure CEH.
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