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Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case. [33000]

Mr. Thomas: DFID's current centrally funded research programmes and projects are:

Health


 
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Social Science


 
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Education

Agriculture

Infrastructure

Communication

In addition we support a range of multilateral and UK collaborative research initiatives.
 
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Publication Arrangements

All projects are required to publish their results, and in new projects at least 10 per cent. of the budget must be used to promote the communication, dissemination and uptake of research.

The Central Research Department supports a number of projects that improve access to research findings, especially for scientists and institutions from developing countries (for example, through the Science and Development Network (SciDev. Net) and the Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI).

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement. [37093]

Mr. Thomas: Because of the overseas focus of its work, DFID does not have a key role to play in the delivery of the recommendations outlined in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report. We do not therefore, have any plans to appoint a Minister with specific responsibility for liaising with the Office for Disability Issues (ODI).

We do, however, have a strategy in place for removing the barriers faced by disabled people in the workplace and this ties in with one of the key aims of the ODI-to be an exemplar organisation in equal opportunities practice. DFID also takes into consideration disability issues in the context of our wider approach to social exclusion within our overseas development programmes, and plan to keep abreast of any best practice policies that emerge through ODI and other lead departments.

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments. [37094]

Mr. Thomas: Due to the overseas nature of DFID's work, we do not have a key role to play in the delivery of policies and/or services which are central to the achievement of the Government's 20 year vision to improve outcomes for disabled people in the UK.

We have not therefore, undertaken any specific activity in response to the Strategy Unit Report's recommendations which relate ostensibly to the provision of UK public services.

We do, however, have a strategy in place for removing the barriers faced by disabled people in the workplace and this ties in with one of the key aims of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI)-to be an exemplar organisation in equal opportunities practice. DFID also takes into consideration disability issues in the context of our wider approach to social exclusion within our overseas development programmes, and plan to keep abreast of any best practice policies that emerge through ODI and other lead departments.
 
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