§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of applications from women, in relation to his Department's research budget, were successful for(a) project grants, (b) programme grants, (c) special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years; [40880]
(2) what percentage of applications, in relation to his Department's research budget, were from women, for (a) project grants, (b) programme grants, (c) special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years. [40881]
§ Mr. SpellarFunding from the Defence research budget in respect of project grants and programme grants is specified not by individual names but by research packages and technology groups. New researchers may apply for funding under the Joint Grants Scheme, under which the relevant Research Council and MOD may each make up to a 50% contribution to research proposals with potential Defence application. Information on grants provided is not available in the form requested, as applicants are not required to give information about their sex. Studentships in engineering, both pre-university and for sponsorship until University finals, are funded from a central MOD budget and not from the Defence research budget. Historic figures are not kept but, of those currently sponsored by MOD to read engineering, 6.8% are women. A system of Research fellowships is being introduced in the current financial year. The process is at an early stage and information on the percentage of applications from women is not yet available.