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Science Courses (Higher and Further Education)

Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many science courses have been available in (a) higher and (b) further education establishments in each year since 1997 in (i) England, (ii) each English region and (iii) the Tees Valley. [73654]

Bill Rammell: Information on the numbers of courses offered by institutions is not held centrally. The following tables show the number of students enrolled on science courses since 1997.

Undergraduate students( 1 ) enrolled on science courses( 2) Government Office Region( 3 ) 1997-98 to 2004-05
Region of institution	1997-98	1998-99
North	27,970	29,850
North West	62,540	66,125
Yorkshire and Humberside	51,645	54,420
East Midlands	36,450	37,350
West Midlands	44,090	45,300
East Anglia	9,165	9,765
South East	79,960	79,645
South West	36,235	38,170
Greater London	81,760	83,735
Total English Regions	429,815	444,360
The Tees Valley	6,005	5,740

Region of institution	1999-2000	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
North East	30,435	31,600	31,090	34,740	36,130	36,285
North West	68,570	70,760	71,000	77,570	82,135	81,925
Yorkshire and Humberside	55,725	56,095	56,105	64,210	62,235	62,320
East Midlands	36,190	37,345	38,410	42,850	46,895	46,470
West Midlands	46,315	47,995	49,500	54,595	57,415	57,350
Eastern	33,890	33,065	34,680	39,900	39,095	42,080
South East	52,620	53,370	54,200	59,815	103,220	110,420
South West	38,770	39,785	41,330	45,010	47,355	47,550
Greater London	89,715	93,975	98,040	105,845	106,410	109,870
Total English Regions	452,230	463,990	474,360	524,540	580,885	594,270
The Tees Valley	7,310	9,020	8,450	10,360	11,070	10,655
(1) Based on a snapshot count of students, as at 1 December each year. (2) A new method of allocating students to subject groups was introduced in 2002-03, the main effect of which was to increase the number of students allocated to specific named subjects and decrease the number of students allocated to "Combined Subject" courses. This will have contributed to the rise in science enrolments between 2001-02 and 2002-03. Science includes medicine/dentistry, subjects allied to medicine, biological sciences, veterinary sciences, veterinary science, agriculture, physical sciences, mathematical sciences, computer science, engineering/technology and architecture. (3) The classification of Government Office regions was revised in 2000-01. Merseyside has been included with the north west. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

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Learning Aim Enrolments in FE in Science and Mathematics Area of Learning for 2002-03 to 2004-05
Enrolments by Region	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
National Office	25,394	716	674
East England	50,529	41,182	38,906
East Midlands	39,945	30,263	29,877
Greater London	86,676	72,696	64,060
North-East	35,756	30,567	27,992
North-West	85,789	75,601	68,740
South-East	81,984	71,333	69,410
South-West	42,660	38,143	40,495
West Midlands	70,339	58,726	54,783
Yorkshire and Humberside	52,353	50,926	45,789
National Total	571,425	47U.153	440,726
National Total—All FE Enrolments —All Subjects	8,249,256	7,872,271	7,845,818

Enrolments at Tees Valley Local LSC
2002-03	Tees Valley	14,669
2003-04	Tees Valley	12,515
2004-05	Tees Valley	12,475
Note: FE learning aim enrolments on aims classified as being in the 'Science and Mathematics' area of learning are given. Area of Learning is used rather than sector subject area as there are more historical data using this classification. Local office classification is based on the relation between providers and their lead LLSC. Data are not supplied for prior to 2002-03 as the definitions of programme areas and how to count learners changed at that point. Source: Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Individualised Learner Record 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05

Student Finance

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have contacted the Student Loans Company with queries relating to student loans due to a change in employer in the tax year for each year since 2002; and if he will make a statement. [75321]

Bill Rammell: The information requested is not available. While the Student Loans Company does record information at individual account level, it is unable to break down the total number of contacts from borrowers to this level of detail.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to cut carbon dioxide emissions; and how regularly those steps will be reported on. [77679]

Ian Pearson: We announced on 12 June that we are taking another important step when it comes to greening Government, by committing to make by 2012
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the Government office estate carbon neutral and committing to reduce Government’s total emissions from buildings by 30 per cent.

This action is consistent with the new UK climate change programme, published in March 2006, which sets out the Government’s commitments at international and domestic levels to meeting the challenges of climate change. It also includes a commitment to introduce a new annual report to Parliament on the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and the steps the Government have been taking to reduce these. The first report is expected to be issued in spring 2007.

The UK’s climate change programme 2006 is available on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/ukccp/pdf/ukccp06-all. pdf.

Correspondence

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will reply to the letter of 16 March from the hon. Member for Aylesbury to the former Minister of State for Environment and Agri-Environment about climate change on behalf of Mr. T. R. of Princes Risborough. [76342]

Ian Pearson: I apologise for the delay in replying to the hon. Gentleman's letter. A response will be issued shortly.

Departmental Blog

Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the start-up cost was for his departmental blog; how much he expects the blog to cost each year; and if he will make a statement. [77140]

Barry Gardiner: The initial start-up costs for the Secretary of State's blog were met by the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Costs of transferring the blog to DEFRA (including design, text and administration changes) have amounted to approximately £1,250. Ongoing costs for hosting and support would amount to some £900 a year on the current basis. There will be further ongoing administrative costs, consisting of a percentage of an existing member of staff's time.

Electrical Goods

Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to promote and support the use of dynamic power management devices in fridges, freezers and other electrical household white goods. [76749]

Ian Pearson: The Government are aware that a number of dynamic demand control devices have been or are being developed by manufacturers as a potential means for reducing the peak load demand on the power grid.

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We are currently investigating, via a small scale test carried out by the Market Transformation Programme (MTP), what effect these devices have on the operation of cold appliances.

For further information on the MTP, please go to: http://www.mtprog.com/

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