HC Deb 25 March 2004 vol 419 cc963-4W
Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department has a chief scientific adviser. [162479]

Ms Hewitt

The Department of Trade and Industry appointed David Hughes as Director General of Innovation Group and Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser (DCS A) in October 2002. David Hughes is a member of the Department's Executive Board.

Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, reports direct to the Prime Minister and to Cabinet. He provides advice to the Government as a whole on science, engineering and technology (SET) matters. Sir David heads the Office of Science and Technology which is located in my Department.

I meet both regularly and Sir David meets David Hughes and the other Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers on a regular basis.