4th Report - The role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (Report)
- HC No.
- Not recorded
- Published
- 29 Feb 2012
- Items
- 0
- Government response
- Government response published 11 May 2012. Read the government's response ↗
Select committee: Science and Technology Committee
Chief Scientific Advisers
Closed
Opened 20 Jul 2011
Closed 20 Jul 2011
Science and Technology Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Call for Evidence The Committee will be looking at a number of aspects concerning the role of CSAs including: the ability of CSAs to provide independent advice to ministers and policy makers; the extent of their influence over research spend; and their role in providing independent challenge and ensuring that departmental policies are evidenced-based.
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 20 July 2011.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 4th Report - The role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (Report) on 29 February 2012.
The government's response
Published 11 May 2012.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government agrees with several recommendations on CSAs, including on GCSA involvement in appointments and early involvement in policy, but says some, if implemented rigidly, could restrict flexibility, and it does not accept a mandatory external-appointment rule or a further review of scientific advisory councils.
- On recruitment, it agrees the GCSA should be involved in all CSA appointments, but is "not persuaded" that appointments should automatically be made externally.
- On policy engagement, it agrees CSAs should be involved "early on and throughout the policy process", but says a formal sign-off role will not necessarily be the most effective approach in every case.
- On Board membership and grading, it stresses flexibility: many departments let the CSA attend Board meetings without a formal seat, and the precise grade "should remain a matter for the Permanent Secretary".
- It is not persuaded of the need for new CSA disagreement guidelines, though it "will consider" whether the GCSA's Guidelines might set out the issue more clearly when next reviewed. It does not believe an additional review of Science Advisory Councils is necessary.
Reports
- 4th Report - The role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (Report)29 February 2012
Recent activity
- Joint letter from Earl of Selborne, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee and Lord Boswell, Chairman of the European Union Select Committee to President Juncker, European Commission (26 November 2014)3 December 2014, Correspondence
- Chief Scientific Advisers - Government Response11 May 2012, Report published
- 4th Report - The role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (Report)29 February 2012, Report published
Reports
Correspondence
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