§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What investment they have had in projects relating to tourism, new media and the information society supported by the European Union's 5th programme on Research and Technological Development (1999–2004); and what impact they expect these projects to have. [HL1607]
§ The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)Within the Information Society Technologies (IST) programme of the EU 5th Framework to date, UK organisations have won €1.23 million (£763,000) in total from four tourism projects, and have won €35.5 million70WA (£22 million) in total from 77 new media projects. With regard to information society projects (that is, all projects in the IST programme including tourism and new media), UK organisations have won total funds of €230 million (£142.6 million) from 674 projects. This represents 14.8 per cent of the total EU funds on offer.
All the projects support the objective of European competitiveness and are expected to produce innovative technologies of broad application to support UK business and daily life. Additional impact will be gained from creation of new market opportunities, closer collaboration between business and the academic community and forging stronger links with European partners.