To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to participate in the European Commission's conference on its fourth framework programme on technology and industrial policies in London on 6 July.

My Department has been asked to participate in the one day conference entitled "The Future of EC R&D and Industrial Policy", in London on 6 July. One of my officials, Mr. Adrian Grilli of the innovation policy division has agreed to chair this event being run by the Institute of European Trade and Technology.Mr. Allan Mayo will be speaking for the Office of Science and Technology which is responsible for co-ordinating all United Kingdom policy on EC research and development.