To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the increase in science spending announced in the autumn statement will allow the continuation of the nuclear structure facility beyond its intended closure date.

The research councils will be considering any changes to their forward programmes when the increases to the science budget announced in the autumn statement have been allocated. Mr right hon. and learned Friend has invited the views of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on this allocation and he will be making a statement in due course.I understand that the Science and Engineering Research Council has yet to decide the precise date during 1992–93 when the nuclear structure facility would close.