§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will conduct the study he is commissioning of the detailed allocation of responsibilities between the new research councils.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have asked Sir David Phillips to conduct the study, backed by the full resources of the Office of Science and Technology. He will be working closely with the research councils, other Government Departments, and representatives of industry and the scientific community.
§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure that more research council staff are recruited from industry.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe recruitment of more senior staff from industry will be a matter in due course for individual research councils, having regard to their charter obligations and mission statements.
§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to encourage industrially oriented research organisations to strengthen their links with their local business communities.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI and my officials are in frequent contact with members of the Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations (AIRTO). I am impressed by their current links with local business communities. AIRTO members are fully behind the plans for a network of one stop shops being progressed by the President of the Board of Trade and are also actively engaged in the postgraduate training partnerships which have strong local links.
§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to appoint the Director General of Research Councils; and if the appointment will be the subject of advertisement and open competition.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe post of director general of the research councils will be advertised and the appointment made in due course through open competition.
§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to announce the membership and remit of the Director General of Research Councils expert group.
604W
§ Mr. WaldegraveAn announcement will be made at the appropriate time, following appointment of the director general.
§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the posts of chairman and chief executive of the new research councils will be subject to advertisement and open competition.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI shall inform Parliament in due course of the arrangements made for these appointments.
§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if advice tendered by the Director General of Research Councils expert group will be made public.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI will discuss the best way of structuring the relationship between the director general and his expert group with the former, when he is appointed.