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Research And Development

Volume 83: debated on Thursday 25 July 1985

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asked the Prime Minister what has been the trend in total expenditure on research and development in the 1980s and in the 1970s, and as expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product; what it represents as a percentage of gross domestic product; and how this compares with the expenditure in other European and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

The information requested for the United Kingdom is available only for years in which a survey of industrial research and development expenditure on science and technology is undertaken and is shown in the following tables.

Research and Development in Science and Technology, performed in all sectors of United Kingdom Economy
Gross Expenditure on R & D at 1975 prices £ millionR & D as a percentage of gdp
19722,2422·07
19752,1512·06
19782,3652·14
19812,6032·34
1983*2,4862·19
* To be published in the August edition of Economic Trends.

Source: Department of Trade and Industry.

Research and Development in Science and Technology, Social Science and Humanities in 1981 for OECD Member Countries

Gross Expenditure on R & D £ million

Gross R & D as percentage of gdp

Australia9131·03
Austria4361·16
Canada1,8481·22
Denmark2931·07
Finland3231·22
France5,8472·01
West Germany8,5582·49
Greece560·21
Iceland100·75
Ireland850·79
Italy2,4821·01
Japan14,6362·38
Netherlands1,3641·88
Norway3381·28
Spain5120·39
Sweden*1,2032·23
Switzerland9672·29
United Kingdom†6,2152·46
United States39,7852·52
Yugoslavia2770·76

* Research and Development in science and technology only.

† Includes OECD estimate of Research and Development in social science and humanities outside government and universities.

Source: OECD, using rates of exchange at purchasing power parities.