Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy

HC 168-I, Eighth Report of Session 2008-09 - Volume I: Report, Together with Formal Minutes

Author:

House of Commons - Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

This report considers the broad issue of why science and engineering are important and why they should be at the heart of Government policy. It also considers three more specific issues: the debate on strategic priorities; the principles that inform science funding decisions; and the scrutiny of science and engineering across Government.

This report, 'Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy (HC 168-I)', revisits recommendations made in the March 2009 report 'Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality (HC 50-I)' (ISBN 9780215529268), which is available to buy below.

The Committee's findings and conclusions include:

• The Committee reiterates its call for the Government to move the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and his Government Office for Science (GO-Science) into the heart of Government, the Cabinet Office.

• It also urges the Government to safeguard the independence of all Science Advisory Committees (SACs) and makes a number of recommendations on how this might be achieved. For example, transparency could be improved and setting up a press office in GO-Science would give SACs an independent voice.

• The principles that govern UK science funding decisions are discussed and the report advocates a principle that can accommodate regional science policy, the full range of research funding streams, mission driven research, and the rationalisation of detailed and strategic funding decisions.

• Finally, the report welcomes changes to the Government's internal science scrutiny programme and the House of Commons' decision to reinstate the Science and Technology Committee.

The accompanying 'Putting Science and Engineering at the Heart of Government Policy - Volume II: Oral and Written Evidence (HC 168-II)' (ISBN 9780215540218) is available to buy separately, please see below.

Extent	79 pages	ISBN	9780215540348
Size	A4	Price	£14.50
Binding	Paperback	Published	23 Jul 2009
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges

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