asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards decisions about the use of a portion of the budget for social research being made by academics under the peer review principle embodied in the Social Science Research Council.

Decisions consequent upon the peer review principle, taken by the Social Science Research Council, are the council's responsibility, within the terms of its Royal Charter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange for a portion of the budget for social research to be allocated by academics under the peer review principle.

If I understand the hon. Member correctly, it is.