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3 Sep 2007 : Column 1767W—continued

Nanotechnology: Finance

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) if he will increase the budget allocated in 2006-07 to support managed nanotechnology programmes; [152855]

(2) what mechanisms he has used to assess the potential effect of nanotechnology on economic development and societal change. [152856]

Ian Pearson: The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and the research councils have the responsibility to determine both the detailed distribution of funding between their specific R and D and research priorities and the relevant funding mechanism.

More recently, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has undertaken studies on the socio-economic issues of nanotechnology:

“Nanotechnology: from the science to the social” was published in 2007 and follows up ESRC’s earlier analysis “The social and economic challenges of nanotechnology” published in 2003 9both available on ESRC website

http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/).

In addition, Research Councils UK has commissioned a study into developing a robust methodology for assessing future impact from Research Council investments. This should report by the end of the year.

The Engineering and physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is implementing a programme in nanoscience through engineering to application, in order to build on the platform of earlier investments and to realise the benefits of the technology for society and the economy Key features will be:

3 Sep 2007 : Column 1768W

strong partnerships with the TSB to achieve pull-through to a range of sectors;

the participation of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and other research councils where relevant;

a grand challenge approach to identify the highest impact research areas;

leadership and co-ordination by a senior strategy advisor from the community.

Officials also sit on a new OECED working party on nanotechnology which will address a number of topics including impacts and business environment and the contribution of nanotechnology to addressing global challenges.

Overseas Students

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of students at universities in England were from overseas in each year since 1990-91. [150669]

Bill Rammell: The available information is given in the tables:

Proportion of overseas students( 1) in higher education in the UK 1990/91 to 1993/94
Academic year	UK domiciled students	Non UK domiciled students	Proportion of non UK domiciled students (percentage)
1990/91	1,094,935	80,630	6.9
1991/92	1,211,385	88,655	6.8
1992/93	1,333,355	110,295	7.6
1993/94	1,450,425	128,510	8.1
(1) Includes HE level students taught in higher education and further education establishments. Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5. Source: The Universities Statistical Record (USR) and the education departments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

3 Sep 2007 : Column 1769W

Proportion of overseas students in UK higher education institutions 1994/95 to 2005/06
Academic year	UK domiciled students	Non UK domiciled students	Proportion of non UK domiciled students (percentage)
1994/95	1,380,620	153,745	10.0
1995/96	1,497,185	184,625	11.0
1996/97	1,532,205	186,705	10.9
1997/98	1,558,585	200,965	11.4
1998/99	1,598,945	207,130	11.5
1999/2000	1,604,520	211,840	11.7
2000/01	1,643,865	219,725	11.8
2001/02	1,699,885	227,270	11.8
2002/03	1,764,945	255,235	12.6
2003/04	1,832,975	275,480	13.1
2004/05	1,870,715	288,430	13.4
2005/06	1,880,230	296,105	13.6
Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5. 2. Proportions are based upon figures calculated on a snapshot basis as at the 1 December to maintain a consistent time series across all years. 3. Figures cover postgraduate and undergraduate students on full-time and part-time courses. Source: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Postgraduate Education: Science

Mr. Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what
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proportion of state-supported doctoral students beginning their courses in each of the last 10 years studied (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) a physical science, (d) a biological science and (e) biochemistry. [149096]

Bill Rammell: The latest information for all entrants to doctorate courses by subject of study are given in the following table. A new classification for recording subject of study was introduced in 2002/03 and so figures from 2002/03 onwards are not comparable to earlier years.

UK domiciled doctorate entrants to higher education institutions in England—1996/97 to 2001/02
Subject of study	1996/97	1997/98	1998/99	1999/2000	2000/01	2001/02
Number
Physical sciences	995	1,015	1,045	1,080	980	1 ,025
of which:
Chemistry	560	510	475	515	450	495
Physics	230	270	285	300	270	290
Biological sciences	1,085	1,085	1,295	1,275	1,235	1,315
of which:
Biochemistry	125	110	150	140	120	160
Other subjects	4,130	4,190	5,030	5,255	5,400	5,325
Total	6,210	6,290	7,370	7,605	7,620	7,660
Percentage
Physical sciences	16	16	14	14	13	13
of which:
Chemistry	9	8	6	7	6	6
Physics	4	4	4	4	4	4
Biological science	17	17	18	17	16	17
of which:
Biochemistry	2	2	2	2	2	2
Other subjects	67	67	68	69	71	69
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100
Notes: 1. Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1st December excluding those writing up, on sabbatical or dormant. Students from the Open University are also excluded from the analysis. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record

UK domiciled doctorate entrants to higher education institutions in England—2002/03 to 2005/06
Subject of study	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06
Number
Physical sciences	980	1,010	980	1,020
of which:
Chemistry	445	430	400	400
Physics	295	300	290	320
Biological sciences	1,260	1,500	1,460	1,555
of which:
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry	115	170	165	190
Other subjects	5,435	5,545	5,570	5,610
Total	7,680	8,055	8,005	8,185
Percentage
Physical sciences	13	13	12	12
of which:
Chemistry	6	5	5	5
Physics	4	4	4	4
Biological sciences	16	19	18	19
of which:
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry	1	2	2	2
Other subjects	71	69	70	69
Total	100	100	100	100
Notes: 1. Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December excluding those writing up, on sabbatical or dormant. Students from the Open University are also excluded from the analysis. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record

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