§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of NERC studentship awards went to(a) the less prosperous UK regions, (b) North-East England, (c) North-West England, (d) East Kent, (e) Humberside and (f) South West England. [151912]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe information is as follows:
Percentage North-East England 21 North-West England 17 Humberside 0 East Kent 0 South West England 15 This includes PhDs, MSc and MRes.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how NERC have met the Government's requirements for transparent decision making in awarding its recent round of studentships. [151908]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe vast majority of our students are allocated via an algorithm, which takes into account research funding (through grants, staff and fellowships) provided by NERC to all university departments with an RAE (research assessment exercise) score of 3 and above. We have been using essentially the same algorithm for six years and it is therefore well known to the departments. Not only do we provide the heads of department with a136W letter each year outlining the algorithm and any minor changes that have taken place since the previous year, but we publish it on the Internet. During the summer months we provide the departments with the information that will be used to generate their allocation. They are asked to check that they agree with the information. We also allow them to challenge any decisions once they have been publicised.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of NERC's recent awards of studentships were awarded for work on contamination and land remediation. [151914]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonIt is for the universities to decide in what areas the students conduct their research.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of MSc studentships awarded by NERC go to new universities. [151913]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThere are no NERC MSc studentships at "new" universities.