Science and Technology Select Committee

Science and Technology Select Committee
Name	Science and Technology Select Committee
Legislature	House of Commons of the United Kingdom
Founded	1992
Chair	Greg Clark
Chairparty	Conservative Party (UK)
Oversight	Government Office for Science
Website	https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/135/science-and-technology-committee/

Science and Technology Select Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom responsible for scrutinising the work of the Government Office for Science and examining science and technology policy across Whitehall. Established in 1992, it serves as a principal mechanism for parliamentary oversight of the United Kingdom's research and innovation landscape, holding evidence sessions with leading figures from institutions like The Royal Society and UK Research and Innovation. Its reports and inquiries significantly influence government policy on issues ranging from artificial intelligence to climate change.

History and establishment

The committee was formally established in 1992, following reforms to the select committee system, to provide dedicated parliamentary scrutiny of the nation's science and technology affairs. Its creation was influenced by the growing recognition of the economic and strategic importance of fields like biotechnology and information technology. The committee's remit has evolved to cover emerging areas such as genomic medicine and space policy, reflecting shifts in the National Health Service and the strategies of the European Space Agency. Its establishment marked a significant step in the Parliament of the United Kingdom's engagement with the scientific community, including bodies like the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Role and responsibilities

The committee's core role is to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Government Office for Science, which is headed by the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of the United Kingdom. It scrutinises cross-departmental issues involving major funders like UK Research and Innovation and the Medical Research Council (UK). Responsibilities include evaluating the government's use of scientific advice during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and assessing the United Kingdom's position in global research competitions involving nations like the United States and China. It also reviews the work of associated public bodies, including the Met Office and the National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom).

Membership and structure

The committee comprises eleven Members of Parliament drawn from across the House of Commons, reflecting the political composition of the house, with members from the Conservative Party (UK), the Labour Party (UK), and others. The chair is elected by the whole house under the Wright Committee reforms. Members often have backgrounds or declared interests in scientific fields, and the committee is supported by a specialist staff including clerks from the House of Commons Committee Office. It frequently appoints specialist advisers from institutions like Imperial College London or the Francis Crick Institute to inform its inquiries.

Inquiries and reports

The committee conducts in-depth inquiries on specific topics, gathering written and oral evidence from experts at organisations such as the Wellcome Trust, AstraZeneca, and the University of Oxford. Notable reports have covered antibiotic resistance, reproducibility in research, the security of 5G networks, and the ethics of human genome editing. Its inquiry into climate change and COP26 influenced the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's net-zero strategy. Reports are formally presented to the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the government is required to issue a formal response, often prompting statements from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Impact and influence

The committee's work has led to tangible policy changes, including reforms to the Research Excellence Framework and increased funding for STEM education initiatives. Its scrutiny was instrumental in the establishment of the National Academy for Mathematical Sciences and shaped the Online Safety Bill. Recommendations from its reports on vaccine development and pandemic preparedness were adopted by the Department of Health and Social Care and the World Health Organization. The committee's evidence sessions, featuring figures like Patrick Vallance and Dame Angela McLean, hold significant media attention and shape public debate on scientific issues.

Notable chairs

Influential chairs have included Ian Taylor, a former Minister for Science and Technology, who led early inquiries into the human fertilisation and embryology laws. Andrew Miller presided over significant work on open access publishing and science communication. Nicola Blackwood oversaw inquiries into anti-microbial resistance and Brexit implications for science. The current chair, Greg Clark, former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has led major studies on biodiversity and the governance of artificial intelligence, engaging with global forums like the United Nations.

Category:Select committees of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Category:Science and technology in the United Kingdom Category:1992 establishments in the United Kingdom