Written question asked by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Monday, 1 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 March 2004. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Monday, 8 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much public money was spent on the Beagle 2 project. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money was spent on the Beagle 2 project. [158577] Ms Hewitt: The Government made a financial commitment of up to £20 million to the Beagle 2 project. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council contributed to the Mars Express Mission through the European Space Agency's science programme and additionally awarded grants totalling £5 million in support of Beagle 2's science instruments and their operation. The Millennium Commission also provided £l million towards the Beagle Operations Centre.

Secondary information