Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on funding for medical research of Scottish independence.

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has made no assessment of the effect of funding for medical research in a separate Scotland.

The Scotland Analysis: Science and Research report published in November 2013 examined the current UK framework for funding, infrastructure, coordination and collaboration. It demonstrated that Scottish research has thrived within this system – for example regularly receiving a higher percentage of Research Council funding when compared to UK population share.

The same holds true for research charities. In 2011 Scotland received 13% of all investment made by members of the Association of Medical Research Charities.

The evidence shows that being part of the UK complements and strengthens Scotland's world-class research base.

The UK Government's position is clear: if Scotland left the UK, the current framework for research could not continue. The best way for research to continue to flourish in Scotland is together as part of the UK.