Written question asked by Adam Afriyie (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 March 2010. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Science

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on creating the Science: [So what? So everything] website; what estimate he has made of the annual cost of maintaining that website; how many unique visitors that website (a) has received since its launch and (b) receives on average each day; and how many officials in each pay band are responsible for maintaining that website.

Answer: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has spent the following on creating and maintaining the Science: [So what? So everything] website:"2008-09: £56,440 (development costs for the landing site before campaign launch 28 January 2010)""2009-10: £235,161"Between its launch on 28 January 2009 and 24 February 2010, the site has received:"121,589 unique visitors""an average of 320 unique visits per day.""359,737 page views over the same period."The fraction of any individual official's time dedicated to the campaign varies between less than 10 per cent. to upwards of 80 per cent. The campaign is overseen by a senior civil service manager as part of the Department's Science and Society programme. The following officials are involved in the management of the contract for maintaining the site, with delivery contracted to an agency:"1 x Grade 6""1 x Information Officer"

Secondary information