Written question asked by Ian Stewart (Labour) on Monday, 2 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 March 2009. It was answered by Pat McFadden (Labour) on Thursday, 19 March 2009 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Departmental Scientists

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his Department's budget for scientific advice and research is in 2008-09; for what purposes the equivalent budget for 2007-08 was used; and how many people employed in his Department have a science or engineering degree.

Answer: This Department does not have a specific budget for scientific research. It does have a Chief Scientific Adviser and an Assistant Chief Scientific Adviser with secretarial support. The BERR budget for this unit is £200,000 in 2008-09. The unit did not exist prior to 1 April 2008.This Department does not keep a separate record of people it employs with a science or engineering degree and such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 489 c1278-9W;489 c1280-1W; 260774
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Science Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Scientists
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk