Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what have been the costs or income to the Exchequer, and the changes to the public availability of research, over the past five years resulting from the privatisation of public sector research establishments.

Information over the past 5 years for public sector research establishments (PSREs) that have been privatised is not collated against the headings requested. The 7th Survey of Knowledge Transfer Activities in Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs) and Research Councils, prepared by Warwick Economics and Development Ltd (July 2014) for BIS, found that reported income from commercialisation activities including business consultancy for PSREs has increased ‘dramatically’, particular in the last three years.