I am grateful for the granting of this debate and to the Minister for his attendance. I hope that he takes this debate in the spirit intended, rather than along party political lines, because the role of women in science is a matter for the whole country and where we...

I am grateful for the granting of this debate and to the Minister for his attendance. I hope that he takes this debate in the spirit intended, rather than along party political lines, because the role of women in science is a matter for the whole country and where we...

Does my hon. Friend agree that the reason the decision should be reconsidered is that the UKRC has, over seven or eight years, built up a lot of expertise? By making the change that they have, the Government are in danger of losing the benefit of all that experience.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the reason the decision should be reconsidered is that the UKRC has, over seven or eight years, built up a lot of expertise? By making the change that they have, the Government are in danger of losing the benefit of all that experience.

I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention and for the work that she is doing for women in science. Indeed, I will mention her later in relation to a publication that she edited.

I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention and for the work that she is doing for women in science. Indeed, I will mention her later in relation to a publication that she edited.

I congratulate the hon. Lady on bringing this matter to the House this evening. Is she aware that there is a CBI report out, entitled “SET for growth”, which indicates that there will be a critical need for science, engineering and technology students over the coming years? Does she feel...

I congratulate the hon. Lady on bringing this matter to the House this evening. Is she aware that there is a CBI report out, entitled “SET for growth”, which indicates that there will be a critical need for science, engineering and technology students over the coming years? Does she feel...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I absolutely agree with him. That is why we are all here this evening: because we take the issue seriously.

The UKRC has the expertise. It is carrying out good work, it has a recognised brand name and it is an organisation...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, and I absolutely agree with him. That is why we are all here this evening: because we take the issue seriously.

The UKRC has the expertise. It is carrying out good work, it has a recognised brand name and it is an organisation...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) on raising this important subject and on the way in which she has pursued her argument. She provided an impressive list of female scientists. As we know from the history of science, women who made great scientific advances did not...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) on raising this important subject and on the way in which she has pursued her argument. She provided an impressive list of female scientists. As we know from the history of science, women who made great scientific advances did not...

No one would want to argue with the principle of mainstreaming, but does the Minister not understand that the role played by the UKRC supported that mainstreaming by bringing together sources of expertise and developing new ways of working? For instance, companies were given a charter so that they really...

No one would want to argue with the principle of mainstreaming, but does the Minister not understand that the role played by the UKRC supported that mainstreaming by bringing together sources of expertise and developing new ways of working? For instance, companies were given a charter so that they really...

I meant what I said about mainstreaming the UKRC’s work. We shall have to see through 2012-13, but I agree with Opposition Members that the UKRC has developed genuine expertise in this area, and part of

the purpose of the transitional funding was to ensure that that expertise should not...

I meant what I said about mainstreaming the UKRC’s work. We shall have to see through 2012-13, but I agree with Opposition Members that the UKRC has developed genuine expertise in this area, and part of

the purpose of the transitional funding was to ensure that that expertise should not...

Adjournment debate on women in science, engineering and technology. Agreed on question.

Adjournment debate on women in science, engineering and technology. Agreed on question.

I regret that because of an administrative error two parliamentary questions tabled by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah) were answered incorrectly, on 20 January, Official Report, column 916W with the hon. Member receiving the same reply provided to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg...

I regret that because of an administrative error two parliamentary questions tabled by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah) were answered incorrectly, on 20 January, Official Report, column 916W with the hon. Member receiving the same reply provided to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg...

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Universities and Science (David Willetts) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I regret that because of an administrative error two Parliamentary Questions tabled by the honourable Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, were answered incorrectly (20 January—916W) with the honourable...

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Universities and Science (David Willetts) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. I regret that because of an administrative error two Parliamentary Questions tabled by the honourable Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, were answered incorrectly (20 January—916W) with the honourable...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what plans he has for the promotion of women's networks in science, technology, engineering and mathematics following the withdrawal of funding to the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology;

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what plans he has for the promotion of women's networks in science, technology, engineering and mathematics following the withdrawal of funding to the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology;

(2) what plans he has for the collation and publication of statistics on women working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics following the withdrawal of funding for the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

(2) what plans he has for the collation and publication of statistics on women working in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics following the withdrawal of funding for the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an estimate of the likely redundancy costs arising from his decision to end funding for the UK Resource Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an estimate of the likely redundancy costs arising from his decision to end funding for the UK Resource Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has visited the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has visited the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.