Select Committee Inquiry - Putting Science and Engineering at
the Heart of Government Policy (UK)
From: Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills
Committee
Date announced: 13 November
2008
Evidence due: 12 January
2009
Semta evidence submitted: 12 January
2009
Supplementary evidence submitted: 20 April 2009
Summary
The Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee is
holding an inquiry called 'Putting Science and Engineering at the
Heart of Government Policy'. The Committee invites evidence on the
following issues:
- whether the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Science and Innovation and
the Council for Science and Technology put science and engineering
at the heart of policy-making and whether there should be a
Department for Science
- how government formulates science and engineering policy
(strengths and weaknesses of the current system)
- whether the views of the science and engineering community are
or should be, central to the formulation of government policy and
how the success of any consultation is assessed
- the case for a regional science policy (versus national science
policy) and whether the Haldane principle needs updating
- engaging the public and increasing public confidence in science
and engineering policy
- the role of GO-Science, DIUS and other government departments,
charities, learned societies, Regional Development Agencies,
industry and other stakeholders in determining UK science and
engineering policy
- how government science and engineering policy should be
scrutinised
Semta submitted its own evidence and also led on the submission
for the SSC Science Cluster.
Lord Drayson was called to give evidence on 26
January 2009. After the call for additional supplementary evidence,
the Select Committee considered the implications of Lord
Drayson's suggestion that science and innovation investment should
be concentrated on areas where the UK has 'clear competitive
advantage'.
Next steps
The government published its response in October 2009..
Documents and Links
Government response to Select Committee
Report
Select Committee report
Semta supplementary
evidence on focus of investment on areas of competitive
advantage
Employer briefing on Lord Drayson's
appearance
IUSS Committee press notice on the
inquiry
Semta
submission
SSC
Science Cluster submission
Semta represents the views of our employers across government
and the media. If you are an employer in the science,
engineering, or manufacturing technology sectors, we welcome your
views at policy@semta.org.uk
27 June 2010