Scientific Advice

HC Deb 17 March 1997 vol 292 cc390-1W

Mr. Nigel Evans

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the use of scientific advice in policy making. [20991]

Mr. Ian Taylor

Scientific advice plays an essential part in policy making. We are today publishing guidelines for good practice in this area, which I am placing in the Library of the House. The guidelines, drawn up by the chief scientific adviser, Sir Robert May, will help Government Departments to maintain the highest standards of integrity and openness in their use of scientific advice. Their publication reinforces our commitment to open government.

The guidelines set out key principles on the use and presentation of scientific advice in policy making. They emphasise the need to identify potentially sensitive issues as early as possible, to draw on a wide range of expert advice and to have a presumption to openness in explaining the interpretation of scientific advice. The guidelines have been drafted in consultation with Government Departments and with the main science academies and the Council for Science and Technology.