To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what (a) financial and (b) non-financial contribution his Department has made to the EU Erasmus Mundus programme since 2001; and which third countries were partners in the programme in the latest period for which information is available. (180444)

The Department makes no direct financial contributions to the Erasmus Mundus programme, which is funded by the European Commission. Along with representatives of the other EU member states, my officials are involved in the development of the programme through membership of the Erasmus Mundus Committee. The latest statistical information available from the European Commission shows that in 2007, 13 third countries were involved in partnerships with EU institutions—Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine and USA. In addition, scholarships were awarded to incoming students from 102 different third countries.