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Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 15 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 June 2007. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Science: Government Assistance

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the level of Government funding support for science centres was in each of the last five years; and what total support is expected to be given in (a) 2007-08 and (b) up to 2010.
Answer

Government funding for science centres over the last five years is shown in the following table:

£000
2002-03 61
2003-04 598
2004-05 560
2005-06 932
2006-07 333

These figures include:"DTI funding of £93,000 from a total of £150,000 paid between 2001 and 2004, to Ecsite UK, an umbrella body for science centres, to help it become established and become financially sustainable.""£2 million, from DTI and DfES, between 2004 and 2006 to certain centres which were assessed as likely to become financially viable with the short term funding."(a) Funding for 2007-08 will include £450,000 as a part of £750,000 project ran by Ecsite UK (between November 2006 and March 2008) to help the science centres achieve financial sustainability and £33,000 funding for Ecsite UK.(b) The Government have provided this short term funding on the basis that science centres should be self sustaining thereafter.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
144106; 462 c146W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Government assistance Museums and galleries Science
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk