§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services who represents him on the Advisory Board of Research Councils; if his Department receives professional advice from outside in making representations to the advisory board; if his Department makes any proposals or suggestions regarding areas where research would be appropriate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Department is represented by the chief scientist on the Advisory Board for the Research Councils which reports to the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
A wide range of professional advice both from within and outside the Department is available to the Chief Scientist across the field of his responsibilities, including his membership of ABRC. The ABRC broadly considers and explores with the research councils the balance of their research programme in advising the Secretary of State for Education and Science on the allocation of the science budget and the Department also makes suggestions about possible fields of research direct with the appropriate councils.