§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to enhance science in his Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy Investing in Innovation. [162248]
§ Mr. RammellI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his related question on 19 November 2003,Official Report, column 1058W.
Since the publication of Investing in Innovation in July 2002 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has continued to expand its Science and Technology network in its posts overseas. There are now nearly 40 attachés in over 20 countries, plus other posts around the world, who are developing Science and Technology activities in support of FCO objectives. The network reports to a wide customer base and works with a number of UK organisations with an interest in Science and Technology overseas. These include Government Departments, parliamentary and devolved institutions, public sector bodies, universities, research and trade organisations and industry. Examples of the work done by the Science and Technology network include: a major campaign to promote UK biosciences in 2003 to mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA; lobbying to promote the UK position on cloning before the debates in the UN General Assembly; organising events to explain the science of climate change; and contributing to international negotiations on the site of the proposed International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.
The FCO works in close partnership with the Office of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry (especially its team of International Technology Promoters), UK Trade and Investment, the British Council and the Research Councils. The FCO Science and Technology network is working with partners to develop the international dimension of the Government's Innovation Strategy and Investment Framework for Science. The FCO is represented on two new Whitehall committees which have been set up to co-ordinate interests in international Science and Technology: the Chief Scientific Adviser's International Committee and the International Science Technology Trade and Investment Committee. The FCO will also take part in the new Ministerial Group on Innovation and the Knowledge Economy.