§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review her Department"s funding support to the scientific and engineering learned institutions; and if she will make a statement. [43580]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 19 March 2002]My Department provides an annual grant in aid to both the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering from the science budget, mainly for fellowships and international exchanges. This funding is reviewed, together with the other components of the science budget, at each Government Spending Review.
My officials also meet the Executive Secretaries and other members of staff of each body approximately quarterly to review progress in respect of grant in aid funded programmes, and to discuss other matters of common interest.
Broadly comparable arrangements cover funding to other learned societies from the Research Councils. However, the sums involved are small, and do not come directly through the science budget. Examples of these would include the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry, which receive funds from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for workshops, summer schools, and conferences.
My Department is also considering a programme of support for funding projects to be undertaken by the Engineering and Technology Board.