asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total amount of money spent by the State on science and technology in each of the years 1977-86; if he will give the same information expressed as a percentage of total Government expenditure; the amount of money expected to be spent in this area in 1987, the proportion of total expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Collated data on State expenditure on science and technology only became available in 1980 following the establishment of the NBST in 1978 and the subsequent initiation of the science budget process. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the years 1980-86 is as follows:

In 1987, estimated State expenditure on science and technology will be £406.5 million which will be 6.2 per cent approximately of estimated total Government expenditure.