§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the European Union on the criteria to be used and the control and compliance mechanisms in adjudicating applications for assistance under the SMART scheme.
§ Mr. RedwoodSMART is a nationwide competition whose guidelines are drawn up by the DTI as the lead Department. The European Commission was consulted and notified of the criteria used for running the competition and judging the entries. All SMART programmes receive EC approval prior to launch.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to strengthen the scientific, technological and engineering qualifications and know how available to his advisory panel on applications for assistance under the SMART scheme.
§ Mr. RedwoodI am satisfied that its combined professional qualifications and experience, and the additional expertise that it is able to call upon when necessary, suitably equip the appraisal team for the task of judging the SMART competition.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the scientific and engineering qualifications of his advisory panel on applications for assistance under the SMART scheme; when he last assessed the quality of the science and engineering qualifications required to make appropriate assessment of such applications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe members of the appraisal team together possess the following qualifications: BSc, PhD, DipSH, ONC(Eng), IEng, MIMechE, AMIEE. Each also has direct experience of having worked in industry.
In addition, the panel is able, as necessary, to consult specialist advisers within other Government Departments, the research establishments and the Patent Office, thus affording them access to expertise of worldwide repute.