PHG Foundation | www.phgfoundation.org

As feared (see previous news story), Harriet Harman, the Leader of the UK House of Commons, has announced that the Science and Technology Select Committee (STC) will be dissolved. In its place, there will be a science focused permanent sub-committee of the new Committee for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, with effect from November 2007.

The STC works on a cross-departmental basis, and Ian Pearson, Minister for Science and Innovation, reportedly told the Times Higher that the new science and technology committee would retain this power. However, some are concerned that science policy will not be subject to proper Parliamentary scrutiny. In an open letter published in the national news last month, a group of prominent UK scientists called for the UK government to “enhance its reputation further by ensuring the continuation of this, either through a stand-alone science and technology committee or through an adequately resourced and autonomous subcommittee of the DIUS select committee” (see Guardian news article).Current STC chairman Phil Willis has also expressed concern; in a letter to chief whip Geoff Hoon prior to the decision Willis wrote: "I am sure that you will agree that given the government's focus on evidence-based policy-making and the wide consensus on the value of science in our society, this would be the wrong time to downgrade or reduce the scrutiny of cross-cutting science issues within parliament" (see Guardian news article).