Thank you for your letter of 29 June, asking for clarification of a comment I made during my appearance in front of the Committee on 20 June.

  I made my comment so as to draw the Committee's attention to the fact that international collaboration is extremely widespread in the UK research base, and is effectively supported by existing Research Council funding. There is extensive evidence that UK research base is highly active internationally—and the indications are that it is becoming increasingly so. For example 39.2% of UK scientific papers were internationally co-authored in 2003; a figure which had risen from 20.5% in 1992. In addition, Research Councils spend over £250 million each year on subscriptions to international scientific organisations.

  Research Councils do not, however at the present time systematically collect data on international collaboration that is funded by them. As outlined in the written evidence submitted by the then Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) the Research Councils are considering developing a common approach to the collection of information regarding the international dimension of funded research. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, will continue to work with the Council in developing such an approach.

July 2007