HC Deb 18 December 1997 vol 303 cc471-3
5. Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

When she last met the chairmen of the research councils to discuss science policy. 119872]

The Minister for Science, Energy and Industry (Mr. John Battle)

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I are in regular contact with members of the research councils. I met the chairmen formally on 29 October to discuss a range of science policy issues. I have arranged to meet them again formally in the new year, on 11 March.

Mrs. Bottomley

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the importance of maintaining a strong science base to our competitive position for the future? Did he hear Sir Richard Sykes at the British Association for the Advancement of Science annual conference say that the system was creaking at the seams? He comes from an industry that employs 20,000 scientists and spends something like £5.5 million a day. The research councils want no more delays, no more reviews, no more buck passing. They want action. What does the hon. Gentleman intend to do?

Mr. Battle

I seem to recall that the right hon. Lady was a member of the Medical Research Council in 1987–88. I seem to recall that I was present when Sir Richard Sykes made his remarks, in which he spelt out the impact on research of the previous Government's Budgets. We pick up the pieces of that, and we shall work hard to ensure that we have an excellent science, engineering and technology base. We shall work hard to defend it.

Mr. Miller

Has my hon. Friend had the opportunity to discuss with the chairman the important work of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission, especially its recent statements on the risk that some people will become uninsurable as a result of the actions of insurance companies? Does my hon. Friend agree that the House, which unanimously supported the creation of the commission, with the involvement of the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan), ought unanimously to deplore the actions of such insurance companies?

Mr. Battle

My hon. Friend raises an important matter. The Government welcome the publication yesterday of the commission's report, "Implications of Genetic Testing for Insurance". The commission issued its report at the same time as the Association of British Insurers met its long-standing commitment as an industry to publish its views. The contribution of the commission to the debate is important. We shall consider its views carefully and make recommendations. We shall respond in detail in the new year, but we welcome the report as an important contribution to the debate.

Mr. Lansley

Further to his meetings with the chairmen of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, what action does the Minister propose to take to safeguard the scientific, technological and commercial expertise of the Royal Greenwich observatory in the constituency of the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell), who is in her place?

Mr. Battle

As the hon. Gentleman knows, that is an inherited position. On 4 July we released PPARC from the prior options dogma of the previous Government. At the same time I said that when PPARC made its decision about where to locate astronomy, it should explore every possible avenue to keep the observatory alive. I hope that that conversation is continuing because the good name of that institution ought to be retained.