UK Science (Hansard, 20 November 2003)

§ Ms Hewitt

Significant progress has been made.

DTI and FCO are members of two S&T—focused inter-departmental committees—the Chief Scientific Adviser's Committee (CSAIC) chaired by the Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King, and the International Science Technology Trade and Investment Committee (ISTTIC) chaired by the UKTI Chief Executive, Sir Stephen Brown.

Castaic's remit is to establish awareness of Britain as a world leader in S&T; to promote international research collaboration to the benefit of the UK science base and world science; and to promote UK science policy on issues with a science dimension. Attic's remit is to deal with the wealth potential arising from the UK's strengths in science and technology by concentrating on the trade and investment agenda.

There is regular interaction between officials arising from their work on the operational committees, which support the two main committees.

Examples of joint working include: The jointly agreed geographical deployment of UK Science and Technology Attaches in our overseas posts; The Klatch magazine, which is published jointly by science and technology groups (DTI,FCO AND UKTI) of Government to showcase British science and technology strengths and promotes inward investment opportunities into the UK; Collaboration on major campaigns in North America, China, Japan; in relation to inward and outward missions with posts abroad; and in the world-wide DNA 50 celebratory events; Working together to provide briefing to Ministers and VIPs travelling abroad; Liasing on cross cutting issues such as CERN, European Space Organisation and the, Asia/Pacific Technology Network; The provision on a monthly basis to our post overseas of briefing material and news stories on science and technology developments in the UK for use in increasing awareness of Britain's status as a leading player in world science; FCO involvement in the Doffs Innovation Review.