§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many technology graduates have been employed in companies under the supervision of the industrial research and technology unit and their university since 1989; and how many of these placements led to permanent employment. [19827]
§ Mr. AncramThe industrial research and technology unit is not involved in the supervision of any employees in companies. However, the industrial research and technology unit is one of several sponsors of the national teaching company scheme which provides support for technology transfer projects within industry undertaken by young graduates under the joint supervision of the company and the university. Eighty-seven such graduates commenced two-year programmes under TCS in industry in Northern Ireland in the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1995. No information is available on the numbers of these graduates in permanent employment.