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BRITISH scientists bidding for European research money in the future
are likely to lose out because Britain’s science base is so weak, the Confederation
of British Industry has told MPs. Representatives from the CBI also told
the House of Commons Education, Science and Arts Committee that British
industry faces a bleak future because of an impending fall in the numbers
of newly qualified scientists and technologists.

Ron Bullough of AEA Technology warned the MPs that Britain’s influence
in some collaborative European programmes is being eroded because of a decrease
in support for the relevant areas of science in Britain. As an example,
he spoke of ‘the complete demise’ of polymer chemistry.

Another witness, John Taylor of Hewlett-Packard, said: ‘I fear for the
ability of our education system to provide sufficient numbers (of scientists
and technologists) to expand industry in the future.’