Council for Science and Technology: Quinquennial Review (Hansard, 17 July 2003)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

The Office of Science and Technology undertook a quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology in 2002. I received the final report of the review in December 2002.

The Government broadly accept the recommendations of the review. Further work was however needed to decide how it should be followed up. That work is now complete. Copies of the final report of the review, together with details of the Government's plans for CST's future, have today been laid in the Library of the House and published on OST's website (www.ost.gov.uk).

Among other things, the Government have revised CST's terms of reference to make clearer the broad, cross-cutting nature of its remit. CST's new terms of reference are:

To advise the Prime Minister¹ on the strategic policies and framework for:

sustaining and developing science, engineering and technology (SET) in the UK, and promoting international co-operation in SET;
fostering the practice and perception of science, engineering and technology as an integral part of the culture of the UK;
promoting excellence in SET education;
making more effective use of research and scientific advice in the development and delivery of policy and public services across Government; and
promoting SET-based innovation in business and the public services to promote the sustainable development of the UK economy, the health and quality of life of UK citizens, and global sustainable development.

The council will work on cross-cutting issues of strategic importance, taking a medium to longer-term approach. In developing its advice it will take into account the cultural, economic, environmental, ethical and social context of developments in SET. ¹ And possibly the First Ministers of the Devolved .Administrations, depending on the outcome of discussions with those Administrations.