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 Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Departmental Scientists

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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: The Department for Transport does not have a separately identified budget for scientific advice and research, but estimates that its spend for 2008-09 will be approximately £62.5 million.The equivalent budget in 2007-08 was used to fund research to inform a wide range of the Department's responsibilities. An overview of these is included in the departmental evidence and research strategy published on the website. Also on the website are further details in the unit-level strategies and access to the Department's research database.The Department does not collate information on the qualifications of the people it employs, and such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Based on a recent Government Office for Science Community of Interest survey (which was on an 'opt in' basis), the Department had 71 respondents. Of these, 30 indicated a science background (qualification or level not specified) and 35 an engineering background; six quoted a science and engineering background. Of the total, 43 indicated they were members of professional bodies.

Secondary information