§ Lord Pendryasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements have been made for carrying out a quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology. [HL6369]
§ Lord Sainsbury of Turville:The quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology was launched on 19 August. The Science and Technology Select Committee was informed in advance and sent copies of a consultation letter which was sent out to learned societies and other stakeholders such as Universities UK, the CBI and the Engineering Employers Federation. The consultation letter was also placed on the web (http://www.ost.gov.uk/ policy/q_review.htm).
The first stage of the review, which addressed whether the CST is still needed, has recommended that it should continue in being but that steps must be taken to make it more effective. The Government have accepted this recommendation. The second stage of this review will look at how the CST might best be used in future.
The consultation will continue until 17 November.