HL Deb 28 March 2002 vol 633 cc76-7WA
Lord Rea

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to conduct a review of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs scientific and regulatory agencies. [HL3591]

Lord Whitty

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State yesterday announced a review of the three science laboratories; the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (CEFAS); and the two regulatory agencies, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) and the Veterinary Medicines Agency (VMD).

The review will be conducted by a team attached to Defra's Corporate and Service Delivery Directorate General, working in consultation with other government departments with an interest. The review team will be advised by a steering group composed of a majority of non-departmental members.

The terms of reference for the review are: To evaluate the effectiveness of the operation of Defra agencies, with regard to the departmental aim and objectives and their relationship with the department and the sectors they serve".

The review is to be conducted in two parallel processes: for those executive agencies due for quinquennial review in 2002 (VLA, CSL, CEFAS), to conduct an evaluation of their performance since the date of the last review and to examine their relationship with core-Defra, other government departments (OGDs) and the devolved administrations (DAs); for the regulatory executive agencies (PSD and VMD), to take into account the conclusions of, and developments since, the completion of their quinquennial reviews.

In so doing, the review will: analyse the requirements of government, industry and society for core science facilities and key skills for the provision of R&D, scientific support services, surveillance, policy and regulatory functions, advice and emergency response capability; analyse and identify the work required to support the core requirements, examine the likely trend of Defra and other public funders' requirements, including developments in horizon scanning and contingency planning; consider the possible options and evaluate the best models for delivery of the services and the organisation of the functions required, including policy advice and associated work; assess the implications for Defra, OGDs, the DAs and the agencies about the choice of those models; assess the implications for non-core activities; and assess the implications for commercial activity.

The review team will consult customers, stakeholders, scientific opinion and other interests and will take into account relevant reviews and studies, in particular the SR2002 science and research crosscutting review and Defra's prioritisation of science programmes exercise; the work on the development of science in Defra, including a new science and innovation strategy; and the Cabinet Office review of agency policy.

In light of the findings of the consultation exercise, the review will examine the most appropriate freedoms, controls, financial regimes, governance arrangements and performance management to ensure the optimum delivery of a high quality service, providing good value for money.

The review team will report with recommendations to Ministers through the management board by the end of October 2002.

Interested parties are invited to submit their views to the review team by 30 May 2002. Details of how to contact them are contained in Defra's news release, issued today.