asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on co-ordination between the Departments of Trade and Industry, the Department of Education and Science, and the Treasury regarding the funding of the teaching company scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Government funding for the very successful teaching company scheme is provided through the budgets of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Science and Engineering Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Northern Ireland Office. Each is responsible for determining its overall financial commitment, whilst approval of individual programmes is co-ordinated by the teaching company management committee within the Science and Engineering Research Council. The Treasury is not directly involved in the co-ordination of funding for the scheme.