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14 Apr 2003 : Column 492W—continued

NORTHERN IRELAND

Grants (Non-Government Bodies)

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the grants paid by (a) his Department and (b) Northern Ireland Government Departments to non-government bodies in the last year for which information is available. [109033]

Ms Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.

In financial year 2002–03 my Department made a large number of grant payments to non-government bodies under various schemes and activities including the following:

SchemeDescription
Regional Selective AssistanceGrant for fixed capital expenditure in Assisted Areas.
Electronics Design ProgrammeGrants to enhance awareness and adoption of advanced design methods by SMEs in the sector.
AcornGrants to develop and trail a manageable, staged approach to the adoption of codified best practice environmental systems by SMEs
EUROIM IIGrant to Mineral Industry Research Organisation (MIRO) to provide information and advice to help businesses find partners and prepare proposals for R&D support from EC programme
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment (HEVACR)Grant to Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) to kick-start an industry driven self-help initiative aimed at raising competitiveness in the sector.
Digital Test BedGrants to projects to promote take-up of digital broadcasting and prevent market.
Fast TrackFunding to promote and support innovation, knowledge management and knowledge transfer in the construction sector.
Manufacturing for Biotechnology InitiativeGrants to highlight the possibilities and strategic importance of the sector e.g. advisory service; training grants.
Basic Technologies ProgrammeGrants to co-ordinate activities aimed at the uptake by industry of new and improved technology.
CARADDirect grants for civil aerospace sector to assist with research and technology.
Cleaner Coal Technology ProgrammeGrants for R&D on cleaner coals technologies in collaboration with industry.
LINKLINK is a generic framework enabling Government Departments and Research Councils to fund research.
New and Renewable Energy ProgrammeGrants to encourage uptake of renewable.
Partners in InnovationGrants for collaborative innovation research projects relating to the construction industry.
FaradayGrants to partnerships of business and research institutions to employ "technology translators".
Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP)Grants to fund undergraduates working with SME/community organisations undertaking projects specified by business.
Partnership FundGrants to stimulate a step-change in the way employers and employees work together.
UK Online for BusinessGrants to businesses to address the "e-productivity gap" to make the UK a world leader in take-up of information and communication technologies.
Industry ForaGrants for projects devised by industry to transfer best practice in various sectors.
Manufacturing Advisory ServiceAdvisory service introducing manufacturing best practice and for a national network of Centres of Manufacturing Expertise
Regional Enterprise GrantsGrants to firms with growth potential for investment in assisted areas.
Building Up BiomaterialsGrant to establish R&D and knowledge transfer.
Digital TV Initiative (Part of Digital TV Action plan)Grants to projects to provide groundwork on barriers to switchover.
BritechBilateral collaborative R&D programme between UK/Israel.
SmartGrants to feasibility and prototype projects to encourage investment in small, early-stage technology projects.
Teaching Companies SchemeGrants to fund graduates (TCS Associates) working within a firm/group of firms on a specific technology transfer project.
ICT Carrier ProgrammeGrants to projects designed to improve process and product in engineering businesses.
Science and Engineering AmbassadorsGrants to provide external consultancy services to support management of a network of science and engineering ambassadors.
SETNET (including STEM)Grants to draw together existing and develop new initiatives aimed at fostering the teaching and learning of engineering-related subjects in schools.
ITEC Skills ProgrammeGrants to programmes designed to improve information technology, electronics and communications skills in schools and the workforce, and to promote diversity in these professions
Sustainable Technologies InitiativePart of this scheme is delivered through LINK (see above). There is also additional funding for wider collaborative R&D activities.
Bio-wiseGrants to improve awareness of the potential of the biotechnology industry and to facilitate the take up of biotechnology.
Applied GenomicsExtension of existing Applied Genomics LINK programme to fully utilise unspent Research Council funds
Corn-met 2005Grants to Mechanical and Metal Trades Confederation (METCOM) for research into sector's competitive deficiencies and for programmes to address these.


14 Apr 2003 : Column 493W

I am unable to give details of individual grants paid under these schemes for reasons of third party's commercial confidences.

My Department is not responsible for grants paid by Northern Ireland Government Departments.

Teenagers (Health Services)

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are for a teenage cancer unit in Northern Ireland. [109217]

Mr. Browne: In January 2003 the Department agreed that the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust should prepare an Outline Business Case for the development of services at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The Trust is currently preparing the Outline Business Case, which includes a proposal for the establishment of a dedicated multi-disciplinary adolescent unit containing provision for teenagers with cancer.

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teenagers with cancer in Belfast South were treated on wards for children or old people in each of the last three years. [109218]

Mr. Browne: The following table shows the number of teenagers from the Belfast South parliamentary constituency who were admitted to hospitals in Northern Ireland when the primary diagnosis was cancer.

Number of admissions
1999–200036
2000–0115
2001–0220

Source:

Hospital in-patients system


Information about the type of wards in which patients are treated is not readily available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps primary care trusts in South Belfast are taking to tackle late and mis-diagnosis of teenagers with cancer. [109219]

Mr. Browne: Most young people with suspected cancer are usually seen by a specialist within 24 hours of referral by their GP. Cancers in teenagers are very rare and are mostly haematological malignancies. The Department's Regional Advisory Committee on Cancer is currently developing regional guidance on haematological malignancies, including paediatric malignancies, which will be issued to all relevant clinicians, including doctors in primary care.

The Department and the Eastern Health and Social Services Board are not considering any further specific action at this time in relation to late diagnosis or misdiagnosis of teenagers with cancer.

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Government does not recognise teenagers as a separate category for delivery of health services. [109220]

14 Apr 2003 : Column 494W

Mr. Browne: The Government do recognise that in many areas of health care adolescents have particular needs. Work is being taken forward in areas such as cancer, mental health, learning disability, drug and alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy to address, where possible, the particular needs of teenagers.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Staff

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what reasons underlie the increase in staff employed by his Office between 1998 and 2002. [108948]

The Prime Minister: The main changes to my office are outlined in the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 25 March 2003, Official Report, columns 125–27W.

The number of staff has increased in response to the changes made following the June 2001 election, as outlined in the press notice which I placed in the Library of the House at the time, and in order to cover additional pressures on my office which include operational matters and dealing with more correspondence, over one million letters over the last year alone.

Hospitality

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on hospitality by the (a) strategic communications unit and (b) corporate communications division in 2001–02. [108949]

The Prime Minister: During 2001–02, the units spent £730 on hospitality, including refreshments at meetings and seminars for government officials and other external visitors. All hospitality was provided in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".


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