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Select committee: Science and Technology Committee

Scientific Infrastructure

Closed Opened 24 May 2013 Closed 24 May 2013

Science and Technology Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The Science and Technology Committee, under the Chairmanship of Lord Krebs, has launched an inquiry into scientific infrastructure. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, under the Chairmanship of Lord Krebs, conducted an inquiry into scientific infrastructure. This refers to large and medium-sized equipment and e-infrastructure to support scientific research. Such infrastructure require substantial financial investment and often capital expenditure. The inquiry collected evidence on the large and medium-sized scientific infrastructure currently available in the UK. It considered: future needs and strategic planning, funding and governance arrangements, international partnerships and partnerships with industry. A call for evidence inviting written submissions on this inquiry was published on Friday, 24 May. The deadline for submissions was Friday, 21 June . Call for Evidence

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 24 May 2013.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently 2nd Report - Scientific Infrastructure on 21 November 2013.

The government's response

Published 4 February 2014.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says it has already implemented the call for stable investment through the 2013 Spending Review, and says a consultation and a ministerial advisory group will inform a long-term strategic roadmap for science capital.

  • On the long-term strategy, a consultation led by the Minister for Universities and Science will inform a roadmap that will be "central to the Science and Innovation Strategy" to be published at Autumn Statement 2014.
  • It is establishing a Ministerial advisory group, chaired by the BIS Director General for Knowledge and Innovation, to advise on the roadmap and on the Committee's recommendations.
  • On local and regional benefits, the consultation "will recognise" them and "will consider accessibility", but "investment decisions will remain on the basis of scientific excellence and national need".
  • On equipment sharing, an efficiency review led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond will "look further" at making the most of science capital funding, and the advisory group "will consider" how sharing can be further facilitated.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Reports

All reports

Recent activity

Reports

1 report