To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many research projects the (a) Social Exclusion Unit and (b) Urban Policy Unit commissioned (i) in 2003–04 and (ii) 2002–03; and what the criteria for selection of each project were. [113558]

The numbers of research projects commissioned is as follows:

	2002–03	2003–041
Social Exclusion Unit	13	3
Urban Policy	26	1
1 to date

The criteria for selecting projects for inclusion in the Office's research programmes is that they meet policy requirements. All of the Office's programmes of research are agreed by Ministers.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the (a) Social Exclusion Unit and (b) Urban Policy Unit were formally established. [113561]

The Social Exclusion Unit was formally established in December 1997. The Urban Policy Unit was formally established in January 2001.