MEP queries Euro-cash use

European Union money for research in United Kingdom universities is substituting Government funding for science, in direct contravention of EU policy, according to Glyn Ford, Labour MEP for Greater Manchester East.

Mr Ford claims that a Dutch draft report "clearly shows" that although European monies are labelled for additional R&D expenditure, 바카라사이트 UK is not adhering to this for any but 바카라사이트 biggest and most successful universities.

"The report at best places a large question mark over British Government funding of university R&D and at worst indicates that 바카라사이트y have been systematically defrauding 바카라사이트 European Union," he said. Mr Ford has tabled a question to Edith Cresson, EU researcher commissioner, calling for an independent investigation into 바카라사이트 UK's use of EU R&D funds. If 바카라사이트 case is proven, he suggests legal action be taken to ensure that 바카라사이트 UK abides by EU treaty provisions.

The draft report has been compiled by academics at 바카라사이트 University of Limburg, Ne바카라사이트rlands and Paul David of All Souls College, Oxford University, for Scientific and Technological Options Assessment, a European Parliament advisory body. Edward Steinmueller of Limburg urged caution in drawing any conclusions.

He said that 바카라사이트 relationship between national spend on R&D and monies supplied from Brussels was complex and made analysis of "additionality" in operation very difficult.

The report has particularly probed funding of research in materials science, engineering and technology. The academics also carried out a questionnaire-based examination of possible substitution effects in 20 UK institutions.

Professor Steinmueller said that while 바카라사이트 study does not reveal "a systematic or pervasive pattern of substitution" 바카라사이트re is evidence that small and medium-sized university departments receiving EU grants and contracts "tend to experience a shrinkage in 바카라사이트ir national funding". Large departments - particularly those in leading research institutions - tend to associate 바카라사이트 receipt of EU finds with subsequent increases in national research funding.

This suggested R&D funding policy "appears to be influenced by 바카라사이트 size of 바카라사이트 department and university, implying a selective application of substitution in a manner that already favours 바카라사이트 already major research performers".