§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to enhance science in his Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation. [162249]
§ Ms BlearsThe Home Office continues to ensure that science and technology make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Department's aims. Our new Strategic Plan commits the Department to a more proactive use of science, technology and research to drive policy and practice. The appointment of our Chief Scientific Advisor has enabled a more strategic management and focus of science on policy priorities. The Forward Look entry summarises our significant investment in hard science, social science and data flows.
As far as innovation specifically is concerned, we try as far as possible to ensure that Intellectual Property Rights in research commissioned by the Home Office remains with the researcher and to work in partnership with commercial companies on development projects. Some restrictions on this are sometimes necessary in so far as it would not be in the national interest to share our research activity. However, management of knowledge and innovation will be key, especially since in many areas we are looking to a wider range of providers and more innovative ways of delivering services. Since its launch in July 2002, the Investing in Innovation strategy has provided the opportunity for the department to work more closely with the science base in co-operation with the research councils. In particular, the Home Office has excellent links with Economic Social Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. We have been working closely with the latter to support the crime prevention programme. We have established a structure to ensure that our Public Sector Research Establishment—the Forensic Science Service—is fully engaged in effective knowledge transfer in the spirit of the Baker report.
It is vital that we pursue our objectives in partnership with other Government departments, academia and the private sector and this approach will be at the heart of our science and innovation strategy.