§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has a chief scientific adviser. [162476]
§ Fiona MactaggartProfessor Paul Wiles was appointed Home Office Chief Scientific Adviser in November 2002 and reports directly to the Permanent Secretary.
The key functions, of the Chief Scientific Officer are:
To be the senior adviser to Ministers and the Group Executive Board on all matters concerning science.To provide assurance that the overall scientific work of the Department is managed so that it serves the Home Office's purpose, aims and delivery.To ensure that the Department makes appropriate use of the external research community: including mechanisms to ensure that all the scientific work for, or by the Department is of appropriate quality and relevance.To ensure that all matters concerning the professional skills, development and training of staff occupying specialist scientific grades are properly conducted.To represent the Department on cross-Whitehall scientific groups, such as the Chief Scientific Advisers Committee.In addition, the Police Scientific Development Branch and the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate are line managed by the Chief Scientific Adviser.