12. To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what support his Department has given to collaborative public-private research and development programmes in universities; and if he will make a statement. (227261)

According to the HEBCI survey in 2008, university income from external sources is at an unprecedented level, currently £2.6 billion per annum. The Government support public-private research collaborations through the Higher Education Innovation Fund, which will give £396 million to support knowledge transfer over the three years of the current round, the Technology Strategy Board and all seven of the Research Councils. For example, EPSRC spends 40 per cent. of its budget on collaborative research.