§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the £110,000 awarded in 2001–02 as grant in aid to Newcastle University for research into provision of information meetings. [14917]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Department is funding further research following the Final Evaluation Report on Information Meetings and Associated Provisions within the Family Law Act 1996. which was published on 16 January 2001. The study will follow up some of the volunteers who participated in the pilot information meetings, to assess the longer term outcomes in their cases over a 30-month period and in particular to assess what use they have made of the information provided to them. The research will contribute to the development of policy on providing information to divorcing couples, and to the development of Family Advice and Information Networks. The amount of grant in aid to be paid in 2001–02 is approximately £80,000, and it is expected that the total cost of the study will not exceed £191,500. The report of its findings is expected in June 2002 and will be published.