Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the risks of increasing reliance on overseas facilities rather than maintaining sovereign UK scientific capability.

The Government recognises the critical importance of maintaining UK sovereign scientific capabilities, including the people, infrastructure, expertise and networks that underpin future research and innovation.

International partnerships enable the UK to develop and operate world-leading facilities no single country could readily provide alone, giving UK researchers access to unique capabilities and creating opportunities for UK businesses, skills and scientific leadership.

UK Research and Innovation prioritises domestic and international research infrastructure investments across its portfolio to support scientific excellence and strategic priorities, deliver value for money and drive growth.