§ 26. Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many grants have been awarded by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts; and what proportion of funding has been allocated to(a) science, (b) technology and (c) the arts. [135361]
§ Mr. Chris SmithNESTA does not invest according to rigid boundaries between science, technology and the arts, and many of the individuals and projects which it has so far supported do not fall into exact distinctions between these disciplines. However, I can confirm that £500,000 of the £3 million so far awarded, has been given to projects predominantly related to science, £600,000 has been spent on projects which are mainly concerned with engineering and technological innovation, and awards principally focusing on the arts total £1.9 million. Further awards in all three areas will be announced by NESTA in the near future. I am asking the Chief Executive of NESTA to write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible with details of each award made so far and shall ensure that a copy of the letter is placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.