§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) steps he has taken and (b) funding has been allocated to promote (i)science engineering and (ii) other science activities to (A)children and (B)the public in each year since 1994. [128277]
§ Ms HewittThere is a great deal of activity led by industrial interests and charities to which the Government's efforts are complementary. The Government support a range of activities to promote science and engineering to children and the general public. We also consider that it is important to do more than promote science and engineering, and takes steps to involve the public over major scientific issues and to increase the opportunities for dialogue. Except for some very specific activities, it is
470WDetails of the funding arrangements under the A1 Yamamah agreements are confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the United Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and I am therefore withholding that information under the provisions of Exemption 1 of Part II of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information. However, the funding arrangements of the A1 Yamamah programme are kept under review by both the Ministry of Defence and the Saudi Arabian Government and adjustments have been made periodically in response to prevailing economic conditions.