To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent steps he has taken to encourage universities to increase the volume of scientific research they undertake. (267243)

The Government seek to encourage excellent research, rather than volume for its own sake. Nevertheless, the volume of research staff submitted to the recent Research Assessment Exercise 2008 did increase by 12 per cent. relative to the previous exercise in 2001. 87 per cent. of this research was independently assessed to be internationally recognised, internationally excellent or world class. We therefore welcome this increase in excellent research.