HC Deb 07 June 1988 vol 134 cc432-3W
Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the membership and affiliations of the Advisory Council on Science and Technology; and what criteria are used for making appointments to the council.

Mr. Jackson

Appointments to the Advisory Council on Science and Technology are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. I understand that the initial members of ACOST from July 1987 are as follows. Those whose membership of the predecessor body, the Advisory Council on Applied Research and Development was transferred over are asterisked.

Member Affiliation
*Professor Stan Metcalfe Department of Economics, Manchester University
*Dr. Dennis Oliver, CBE, FEng Business Consultant
*Professor Sir David Phillips, FRS Chairman of Advisory Board for the Research Councils
Professor Keith Peters, FRCP Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith
Sir George Porter, FRS President of the Royal Society
*Dr. Charles Reece, FRSC Director of Research and Technology, Imperial Chemical Industries plc.
*Dr. Alan Rudge, OBE, FEng, FRSA Director of Research and Technology, British Telecom plc
*Dr. David Smith Business Consultant
*Professor Desmond Smith, FRS, FRSE Department of Physics, Heriot Watt University
Professor Sir Peter Swinnerton-Dyer, FRS Chairman, University Grants Committee

Mr. Hammond has since resigned because of pressure of work. Mr. Gill and Professor Smith have completed their present term of appointment. New members will be announced shortly.

There are three ex-officio members: the chairmen of the Department of Trade and Industry's technology requirement board, of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils and of the University Grants Committee. All other members are appointed in their personal capacity and are chosen for their eminence and experience in science, technology and industry.