§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people from science and technology backgrounds have been seconded into the Civil Service in his Department in each of the last five years for which data are available. [138623]
1058W
§ Mr. RammellIn line with the 2001 Government Cross Cutting Review of Science and Research and the 2000 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) review of science and technology (S&T) work, the FCO has increased the use of S&T expertise in its work. The FCO has established a new S&T network and recruited a new and diverse generation of high calibre S&T officers, both UK appointed and locally engaged. As well as scientific and technical expertise, many have experience in business, management consultancy and policymaking, as well as skills in diplomacy and international relations. For UK appointees, in each of the last five years the following numbers of people with a science and technology background have been recruited into the S&T network either on Fixed Term contract, loan from Other Government Departments or on secondment from outside the Civil Service:
Number 1999 2 2000 2 2001 7 2002 2 2003 3