HC Deb 01 April 2004 vol 419 cc1557-8W
Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser has ensured that the Department's scientific activities are well directed, as recommended in paragraph 7.11 of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation, published in July 2002. [162484]

Alun Michael

Professor Howard Dalton FRS was appointed as Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser in March 2002. He is a full member of the Departmental Management Board. The Chief Scientific Adviser is responsible to Defra's Management Board and Ministers for the preparation of the Department's Science and Innovation Strategy. This sets out the vision for Defra science, and identifies the science needed to underpin and inform Defra policies across the three areas of environment, food and rural affairs. Defra's first Science and Innovation Strategy was published in May 2003.