To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many research projects have had their funding ended due to the changes of criteria announced by Research Councils UK in October 2006. (128774)

None. Research projects under way when Research Councils made their announcement on the criteria for eligibility for funding on October 2006 have proceeded unaffected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the likely impact on scientific research projects of the recent changes of criteria for research funding. (128775)

Last October the Research Councils clarified their arrangements for eligibility to apply for Research Council funding. Those eligible include UK higher education institutions, Research Council institutes and independent research organisations. Further information is available from the Research Councils UK website.

These arrangements introduce helpful coherence and should strengthen the value obtained overall from this funding.