§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry further to his answer of 20 January 2000,Official Report, columns 520–21W, how much soya was imported from countries other than the United States of America in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999; and how much was GM soya. [106962]
§ Mr. CabornThe available information is given in the following table. Statistics compiled by HM Customs and Excise do not distinguish between GM soya and non-GM soya.
by each of the research councils to improve participation, retention and progression in science of (a) women and (b) members of the ethnic minorities. [106052]
§ Ms HewittThe Research Councils are equal opportunities employers and actively monitor both gender and ethnicity in recruitment, salaries and staff performance. They have implemented specific activities to support this policy including: training staff of recruitment panels; support for the Daphne Jackson Fellowship scheme for women returnees; and participation in the Research Council-Wellcome study to investigate why fewer women than men apply for research funds. The Councils are also considering setting up an Equal Opportunities management group to share good practice and expertise.
In 1997 the Research Careers Concordat signatories set up the Research Councils' initiative to implement improved terms and conditions of award for grant holders, students and fellows taking maternity leave.
All Councils make efforts to ensure that women are nominated for committees and public bodies and collectively sponsor the publication of the AWISE (Association for Women in Science and Engineering) magazine.
Further detail is available on the specific activities of each Council in its Annual Report.