§ Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is he taking to draw public attention to the importance of science and engineering. [114787]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 17 March 2000]: National Science Week launched on Friday, now annually attracts well over a million visitors to more than 7,000 events, and is the flagship project of our Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology programme. This programme currently supports 15 pilot projects with a total value this financial year of £1.46 million.
More generally, the Department grant-aids relevant activities throughout the year organised by the Royal Society, the British Association for the Advancement of Science and the Research Councils.
We have also consistently supported the engineering community in its efforts to raise the profile of engineering in the mind of the public and past initiatives such as "Action for Engineering" have received substantial financial assistance. One of the key aims of the latest such initiative to receive DTI support, the "Campaign to Promote Engineering" is to present engineers and engineering as key contributors to the nation's wealth and quality of life. The campaign's patrons include Professional Engineering Institutions, Trade Associations and companies both large and small within all sectors of UK industry. DTI also continues its financial support for SETNET (Science Engineering Technology Mathematics Network) whose key objective is to bring coherence and co-ordination to the myriad schemes and resources aimed at fostering the teaching and learning of engineering related subjects in schools.
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§ Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement in activities relating to Science Week commencing on 17 March organised by the British Association. [114788]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 17 March 2000]: My Department is a strong supporter of National Science Week and continues to be the main core sponsor of the week. The British Association for the Advancement of Science receives grant aid worth £160,000 each year from the Office of Science and Technology's Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology budget to cover core costs. In addition we have also provided almost £90,000 to support 56 National Science Week projects around the United Kingdom through the COPUS grants scheme.
My Department also runs a small number of events to mark National Science Week, targeted at a Whitehall audience. This year these include an event co-hosted by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee at the Palace of Westminster on 23 March entitled "Putting Science To Work".