THE DIAMOND SYNCHROTRON PROJECT

Early day motion 547, tabled 16 March 2000 by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative). Signed by 15 members.

That this House regrets the Government's decision to award the ú200 million Diamond Synchrotron project to Oxfordshire and not to the existing synchrotron facility at Daresbury in Cheshire; notes that the long-term cost to the North West economy will be ú550 million; notes that it will damage the science base of the North West risking the loss of over 200 high-skilled jobs, likely to go overseas; further notes that the Science and Technology Select Committee found no scientific case to favour Oxfordshire over Cheshire as a site for the new investment; and believes that this decision taken personally by the Prime Minister, shows that he has not given sufficient weight to the importance of regional policy or to the need to promote science and encourage investment in the North West.

Signatures by party: Conservative 9, Labour 5, Liberal Democrat 1.