Autumn 2006 SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT

Sustainable Concrete

Human Reproductive Technologies

Open Access Publishing

State of the Nation

2006 MacRobert Award Winner, Optos plc

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Concrete - a sound investment for our children’s future. For more information, visit www.concretecentre.com SCIENCE IN Science in Parliament has two main objectives: a) to inform the scientific and industrial communities PARLIAMENT of activities within Parliament of a scientific nature The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. and of the progress of relevant legislation; The Committee is an Associate Parliamentary Group b) to keep Members of Parliament abreast of members of both Houses of Parliament and British members of the European Parliament, representatives of scientific affairs. of scientific and technical institutions, industrial organisations and universities.

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Science in Parliament. As Chairman of the Editorial/Management Board of this Journal, I have been trying to encourage more Contents coverage of the controversial aspects of science that might generate a “Letters Page”. Autumn 2006 Volume 63 Number 4 We welcome your views on the issues that Opinion by Claire Curtis-Thomas MP 2 we cover and others of current interest. News that a single stem cell can be removed Mission Impossible? 3 Opinion by Phil Willis MP from an embryo, apparently without Changes in 25 years of Computing 4 Charles Hughes, BCS preventing normal development of the Why Nuclear Power is needed in a low carbon economy 5 Professor Sir David King embryo, and that an adult cell can be Being NICE 6 Professor Sir Michael Rawlins “wound back” to a stem cell have given Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester 8 Dr Ian Griffin great hope to this rapidly developing Enriching the Science Learning Experience 10 field of science. Yvonne Baker, SETNET The GM crops debate is back on the agenda Science Cities 12 with BASF’s announcement of a blight-free Professor Christopher Edwards potato. With most countries in North and The Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award 14 South America, China and India, and even Research finds Masonry Homes can have lowest whole life CO2 Impact 16 countries closer to home, such as Spain, now Andrew Minson, the Concrete Centre growing GM crops, how long can Britain State of the Nation Report 18 remain GM crop free? Some argue that Quentin Leiper, Institution of Civil Engineers public reaction to GM crops has damaged Human Reproductive Technologies 20 Britain’s biotechnology industry badly. We Addresses to the P&SC by Lord Winston and Prof Peter Braude need a sensible and well-informed debate Is Open Access the Future for Scientific Publishing? 24 free of the emotion of earlier debates. Addresses to the P&SC by Prof Mark Walport, Robert Campbell, This Summer has seen the publication of the Prof David Nicholas and Dr Ian Rowlands usual Annual Reports of a plethora or Science and Globalisation 30 organisations – State Departments and their The Ageing Countryside 32 agencies included. For those who have the Book Review by Lord Haskins time to read them, they contain a wealth of UK-Singapore: Partners in Science 33 information which, fortunately, suggests that Brian Ferrar, British High Commission, Singapore our science base is healthy for the time School Meals 34 being. The Food Standards Agency Prof Alan Malcolm published its “Science Strategy 2005-2010” The DTI’s Energy Review 35 in July (http://www.food.gov.uk/science/). Robert Freer I congratulate Universities UK for publishing Letters to the Editor 36 “EurekaUK”, which describes “100 House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee 37 discoveries and developments in UK House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology 38 universities that have changed the world”. I Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology 40 had great pleasure, on 25 July, in presenting the President of the American Chemical Debates and Selected Parliamentary Questions and Answers 41 Society with a copy. Digest of Parliamentary Debates, Questions and Answers 45 Euro-News 51 Dr Brian Iddon MP European Union Digest 51 Chairman, Editorial Board 2006 Volume Index 54 Science in Parliament Science Directory 55 Science Diary 64 Front cover image: © Optos plc ISSN 0263-6271 OPINION Claire Curtis-Thomas MP

ngineers everywhere are the founders of the Women in doing what they do best as I Science and Engineering (WISE) in Ewrite, they’re beavering away Wales, and along with some and delivering what the customer magnificent, formidable, pioneering ordered, from sky scrapers to a new women we embarked on a central heating system; and therein nationwide schools visits lies our problem, that while we love programme. I was assigned to the what we’re doing, we don’t spend five to seven year olds, and they much time talking, and because we spent years teaching me how to don’t talk about the amazing world make a good paper plane. I have no tremendous women, we established that we are constantly creating, we idea how many of those WISE SET UP – a charity whose primary go largely unnoticed and young children went on to become purpose was to promote science, unsupported. Generally most of us scientists or engineers, but I do engineering and technology to have no problem with that situation know that we all learnt a lot and we young people from the age of five to at all – we want to be left to get on had fun. Irrespective of the fact that eighteen, irrespective of gender, with our work. However, such we all felt good, evangelising on creed or intellectual ability. The systemic and fundamental reserve behalf of our various disciplines, the charity is in its eleventh year and creates problems when you’re trying impact of our programme was we have achieved much together – to recruit young people into negligible; the vast majority of from our earliest days we engineering. teachers knew nothing about committed ourselves to a I became involved in engineering science and engineering, and we programme of work that would last accidentally, and I loved it found that most parents wanted twenty years, would support the immediately and the skilled people their children to go into “clean school curriculum and be subject who spent day after day creating jobs”. We realised that to increase to rigorous quality control. perfection from the elements of the the number of young people going During the annual science week in earth. But, however attractive the into Science, Engineering and March, the SET UP team delivers a position of being the only young Technology (SET) related careers we programme of over 150 events to woman working with approximately would have to sustain our activity four thousand children, half of three thousand men might sound, it for decades and to involve industry whom are under the age of eleven. was horrible for most of the time: – we needed their money to pay for These events include opportunities half of my colleagues didn’t want school visits and we needed their for visits to factories or engineering me in work with them and the employees to join us to talk to work sites or school visits by other half wanted me there, but for young people everywhere. That task engineers or scientists. Our the wrong reasons. Another two seemed impossible then and it still presentations support the national young women started apprenticeships feels impossible now, but thirty curriculum and vary from “What a year after me, but within six years later there is an understanding happens when you flush the toilet” months they had quit, for reasons I that getting young people into to “It’s in your genes – haemophilia understood perfectly well. However engineering is not a task that in the Royal family”. Hundreds of I was determined not be forced out business can leave to government, it volunteers, who have a love of of a job that engaged me absolutely, is something that all companies engineering or science, help to but by then armoured tanks had have to become involved in organise or deliver the SET UP skins which were thinner than themselves if they want to secure programme, as we want to share mine. I was determined that, apart the brightest and best candidates. that with young people so that they from gaining my apprenticeship, I have moved house fourteen times might join us some day – and I would try and encourage more with my work and every time I have gratifyingly some have done so. young women into my world, sought out colleagues who would Today, our volunteers will be knowing that if there were more of be prepared to help me establish a working on next year’s programme; us, it would be easier to survive and schools visit programme locally; engineers and scientists like realise our potential. sometimes these initiatives failed planning and building something I started my recruitment campaign a when I moved on. However in better – I just wish we would talk few years later by becoming one of 1995, along with two other about it all just a little bit more!

2 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 OPINION Mission Impossible? Phil Willis MP Chair, House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee “ ission impossible” was to and the expectation from the how one Member of the science and technology community. MScience and Technology I had also been made aware that Committee described my Select Committees have established appointment as Chairman just over ways of working and change is not a year ago. As a “non scientist”, how always welcome! The task of could I possibly step into the shoes deciding new Inquiries was more Committee structure. of Dr Ian Gibson and command any difficult than I had envisaged, Of course the real excitement comes respect from the scientific primarily because individual from the oral evidence sessions. community? Indeed given the Members have such diverse and Michael Jopling, the former cabinet remarkably high profile Ian had complex interests and there are an minister, once said, “Select given the committee, surely the abundance of exciting areas to Committees are giving backbenchers promotion of science and explore. Achieving consensus was teeth with which to challenge the technology within Parliament would sometimes challenging. However executive”. He was right. There is a be diminished? the Committee has embarked upon real sense of engagement with The answer was not to try and some new and hopefully useful Ministers that I have previously replicate a formula that had ways of working. never felt at departmental questions produced ground breaking Reports The recent inquiry into “Scientific in the Commons and a willingness such as “Forensic Science on Trial” Advice to Government” which to engage in the subject under and “Human Reproductive examined the Government’s scrutiny. The same excitement Technologies and the Law” but to commitment to evidence based comes from examining the evidence create new directions and different policy making used three case or responsibilities of other witnesses ways of working. Building on such studies to explore in more depth the too. superb foundations made my job issue of scientific advice and risk. To hear Olympic sprinter Linford “mission incredible” not The technology underpinning the Christie present his views on “impossible” and so it has Government’s plans for ID cards, doping in sport at our seminar to transpired. the classification of drugs and the launch the “Human Enhancement The learning curve has been steep EU Physical Agents Technologies in Sport” Inquiry or but hugely exciting. I began by (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive Alasdair Smith, the Vice Chancellor trying to meet as many key figures relating to the use of MRI scanners of Sussex University, defending his in the scientific world as possible enabled three highly topical Reports policy to close a Chemistry and quickly learnt this was a near to be published prior to the Department brings the work of the impossible task – so rich is the UK overarching Report in the autumn. Committee alive and makes it in scientific talent. Whether in The Committee also embarked immediately relevant. Swindon meeting Professor Ian upon its first thematic inquiry into So what of the future? Well let me Diamond and his fellow Research the work of the Research Councils, begin by acknowledging the Council Chief Executives, the Royal taking as its first theme the tremendous support given to me by Society and the Royal Academy of Councils’ approach to knowledge Members of the Committee and by Engineering with the eminent Lords transfer in recognition of the an exceptional group of Clerks, May and Broers or the DTI with growing emphasis placed by the scientific specialists and support Lord Sainsbury, Sir Keith O’Nions Government on innovation. staff. Despite having to work and the remarkable Sir David King Perhaps one of the most rewarding without two Members for most of – the message I received was the aspects of my first year as Chairman that time the co-operation and same. The scientific community is was the Committee’s agreement to engagement has been quite superb. excited and proud about what it take a more systematic approach We immediately begin work in does, is anxious to share its when looking at recommendations October on a new Inquiry into achievements and aspirations and is from past Inquiries and ask the “Space” and whilst a Committee visit often frustrated that question “do we as a Committee has been ruled out, this should parliamentarians do not engage as make a difference?” Individual prove to be an extremely topical effectively as they might. Members are re-visiting and exciting inquiry for any new Certainly by the time the new commitments made by Ministers to member who wishes to join the Science and Technology Committee Reports produced over the past five Committee! undertook its first Inquiry “Carbon years to see if they were carried out Last year was truly “mission Capture and Storage Technology”, I – a process which I would like to incredible” and this year promises was well aware of the responsibility see formalised across the Select more of the same!

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 3 Summer 2006 3 Changes in 25 years of Computing Charles Hughes President of the British Computer Society

quarter of a century is a very form?” Berners-Lee said. The World long time in computer history Wide Web, with its user-friendly Aterms; if one accepts the applications, coupled with the first world’s first electronic computer public access web browser Mosaic, was developed at Bletchley Park by has transformed computer usage, Alan Turing and his team a mere 60 and information access and or so years ago. From there to the transmission, for all of us. your printer, and download music first commercial computer, LEO, Next on the list comes the cell directly to your phone – all things from Joe Lyons the bakers took a phone, which may have been that used to require a PC. decade. conceived as early as the late 1940s, The growth in IT – over one million Now advances proceed with but wasn't widely adopted until the UK citizens now work in the breathtaking speed which is why FCC authorised cellular service in industry – has necessitated a huge the last twenty-five years have been the early 1980s. Although initially growth in the supply of skills so dramatic. When the British launched as a simple analogue training and qualfications at all Computer Society was formed based radio receiver and transmitter, levels. Here the BCS has rightly nearly fifty years ago, computers today’s cellular phones and their fulfilled the remit of its Royal were “built” and often bespoke. The offspring – the PDA – are fully Charter to engage the broader modern revolution began 25 years functional computers that fulfil public with the advantages of and ago in 1981; IBM released their new most of the core functions of the the skills to use IT. desktop computer, the IBM PC or PC. The BCS has made enormous personal computer. The PC has created wealth on a strides on the professionalism front The first IBM PC was slow (4.77 massive scale. The combined over the past few years. But we also MHz) and came equipped with only stockmarket values of PC hardware recognise that there remains much 16 kilobytes of memory, expandable and software firms exceed half a to be done before we can claim to to 256k. It had a price tag of trillion dollars. Cheap computers have a mature IT profession within around £820 which would be over have boosted the productivity of which professional qualifications are £2000 today. individual workers. And hundreds seen as a “must-have” for business The transformation of integrated of millions of people have benefited rather than as an optional extra for circuitry into the micro chip and from access to word-processing, individual practitioners. Even with the inevitability of Moore’s Law was spreadsheets, e-mail, file-sharing the increase in BCS membership to the technology which propelled the and cheap phone calls – to say over 55,000, there is still only a PC into the ubiquitous tool that is nothing of the riches of the web. small minority of practitioners in now part of most of our lives. And we now all use computers on a membership of any professional The next important contributor to daily basis whether overtly with our body and few employers yet require computing’s evolution was the PCs or PDAs or indirectly in our professional qualifications as part of Internet. Facilitated by the TCP/IP cars, televisions and washing their recruitment practice. The protocol, which set the rules for machines, through the telephone Government has recognised the communications between networks or ATMs and as customers challenge by appointing a Director computers, the Internet, which had of government and business for IT Professionalism and offering its roots in developments started in services. strong support for the BCS the 1960s, became readily available The PC democratised computing by campaign. with the creation of the web in making computers cheaper and The Parliamentary IT Committee 1991 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, whilst more accessible than the huge (PITCOM) and BCS have strong working at CERN. mainframes that came before. But links and we both welcome active Berners-Lee told CNN that the idea the PC is no longer centre of the support from all quarters. behind the Internet was making technological universe; today it is Computers have changed the world information accessible to all. more likely to be just one of many and will continue to do so. We all “Wouldn't it be nice if actually all devices orbiting the user. You can need to ensure that the the information out there were in a now do e-mail on a BlackBerry, plug transformations to come do deliver what-you-see-is-what-you-get your digital camera directly into real benefits to society.

Charles Hughes is President of The British Computer Society, an Executive Council Member of PITCOM and Chairman of the Programme Committee and a Court Assistant of the Information Technologists’ Company. His 40 year career in IT has spanned the supply side and central government and he now directs eManagement Limited, offering guidance on the effective implementation and use of IT.

4 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 OPINION Why Nuclear Power is Needed in a Low Carbon Economy Professor Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser

arbon dioxide levels are now decentralised energy and so called about 40% higher than at any “micro-generation” technologies, Ctime in the past 740,000 which can operate at the scale of an 7% – effectively more than years at least, and due to the inertia individual household. offsetting the contribution expected of the global system further I believe strongly that a from renewables over the same warming will occur over the next “stabilisation wedges” approach can period. few decades regardless of action on be a valuable framework in scoping Nuclear power currently accounts emissions reduction. Current the scale of the challenge and in for 20%, or one fifth, of our warming is already having its providing a strategic framework for electricity generation and is an effects: sea ice is melting, glaciers future planning and delivering on important part of the low carbon are receding, sea levels are rising our low carbon economy. equation. The question is shouldn't and the oceans are becoming more Energy efficiency is clearly a win- we replace that, so that we can keep acidic. What’s more, in the past 30 win option for all of us; it addresses that source of electricity? It is only years the number of strong both our carbon and security of about one fifth, and what we need hurricanes, the equivalent category supply goals. The projected growth in the future is a good electricity to Katrina, has doubled. in energy demand will currently balance. Each year we delay any We now face serious challenges cancel out any efficiency savings new nuclear build means an from pressures on natural resources made. Energy efficiency is a theme additional 35 million tonnes of and the environment. The science of that cuts across all sectors. In the carbon dioxide are emitted to the climate change is becoming more domestic sector, we must move atmosphere (about 6% of total CO2 certain by the day and the causal quickly to ramp up new housing from all sources), assuming that gas link to increased greenhouse gas standards. More challenging is fills the gap as nuclear capacity emissions largely caused by the use achieving improvements in existing declines. In some scenarios the of fossil fuels is now well buildings. Action to raise the profile position could be worse, if gas established. of energy efficiency in the business prices remain high and coal There is no single solution to and public sectors is also a key becomes more competitive. reducing emissions. We, like any issue for both buildings and Let me make it clear, if there were country, need a full complement of products. Crucially, the proposals other sources of low carbon energy mitigating actions, covering all must encompass both heat and that could replace our generation of sectors and addressing the key electricity – too often the focus is nuclear while ensuring security of issues of low carbon energy, fuel placed on the former at the expense supply and eradication of fuel poverty and security of supply. of the latter. The savings we make poverty I would be in favour of It is certainly not a simple question on energy efficiency will reduce the them, but there aren’t. Nuclear of deciding between “nuclear vs number of new power stations we power is an important source of low renewables vs energy efficiency”. I will have to build during the next carbon electricity in the UK and believe we need every tool in the 40-50 years. that it why the UK Government has bag, including a step change in the It has become increasingly clear said nuclear power will play an rate of energy efficiency while reviewing the evidence for the important part in meeting our improvement, a much greater Energy Review that we were falling energy goals. contribution from renewables, even further behind in meeting our This may well be the last generation major progress in the transport CO2 emissions goals. A key factor of new nuclear fission power plants sector to stabilise and start to for this is the rapid decline in in the UK. In 35 years time the reduce emissions, and the large- carbon-free energy to the grid from ITER project may well yield the scale demonstration and nuclear fission as existing plants availability of commercial fusion deployment of carbon capture and close. In 2001 the contribution of power plants, with zero radioactive storage for fossil fuels. I am also a nuclear power to grid electricity was waste implications, like energy fan of maximising the contribution 27%. By 2010 this will have fallen efficiency this could be another of combined heat and power, to around 18%, and by 2020 to just win-win.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 5 Being NICE: Making the best use of our health resource

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of NICE, highlights the challenges ahead for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health

long with the expected guidance often takes longer to the public in making better, and complexities of working in, produce than many stakeholders more informed, choices; and it will Aand on behalf of, a rapidly would like.2 We have been acutely provide the NHS, local authorities changing health system it has been aware of this, and have responded and the wider public health an important eighteen months in the by introducing the new “STA” communities (especially the evolution of NICE’s programmes. process. Equally, we appreciate the voluntary sector) with guidance Having taken on responsibility for need for some of our guidelines to about effective and cost effective producing public health guidance be developed in a speedier manner measures to achieve these same for the wider public health – especially where there is urgency goals. community, after merging with the and/or the topic covers a relatively The merger of NICE and the HDA Health Development Agency in small area. was seen, by some, as a cost-cutting April 2005, the Institute has now We are also prepared to be flexible measure. It is true that the merger produced two pieces of public revising our existing guidance when has saved money; but the synergies health interventions guidance important, new evidence emerges. between the two organisations (smoking cessation and physical Our clinical guideline on means that the “new” NICE is more activities interventions). And much hypertension, for example, was than the sum of the two parts. It has more is to come with public health revised in collaboration with the ensured, for example, that public programme guidance on the British Hypertension Society to take health considerations are starting to prevention, identification, assess- account of the findings of the permeate NICE clinical guidance as ment and management of ASCOT trial. As a consequence, an has occurred with advice on the overweight and obesity in adults amended version of our guideline prevention of tuberculosis and the and children expected in November was published well before the prevention of obesity. 2006. planned review date. NICE has also developed a fast-track We are also continuing to provide NICE guidance appraisal process for assessing new support to the NHS in life-saving drugs more quickly. implementing our advice. Our NICE now produces guidance for Known as the “Single Technology implementation programme now health professionals, patients and Appraisal” (STA) process, this will offers a range of tools and resources the wider public in three areas: assess the clinical and cost- to help the introduction of our Public health: guidance on the effectiveness of treatments in parallel guidance at the time of, or soon promotion of good health and the with the licensing process.1 The first after, its publication. Our aim is to prevention of ill health for those such drug to gain approval through do everything we can to make sure working in the NHS, local this scheme has been the breast that those to whom our guidance is authorities and the wider public and cancer drug Herceptin, and more directed are able to benefit fully. voluntary sectors. are on the way. Our new public health programmes Health technologies: guidance on NICE is rarely out of the headlines. will provide guidance on promoting the use of new and existing The quid pro quo of inclusiveness good health and preventing ill medicines, devices and procedures and consultation means that NICE health. This will include supporting within the NHS.

6 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Clinical guidelines: guidance on the decides whether interventional Standards for Better Health sets out appropriate treatment and care of procedures are safe and work well how NHS organisations should people with specific diseases and enough for use in the NHS, covers respond to NICE guidance. conditions within the NHS. England, Wales and Scotland. Other NHS Primary Care and Hospital For all these forms of guidance, the guidance for the NHS in Scotland is Trusts are responsible for Institute takes account of evidence- developed separately by NHS commissioning and delivering high based effectiveness and cost Quality Improvement Scotland quality healthcare. This is done effectiveness. The requirement to (technology appraisals) and the through their clinical governance consider economic issues, laid out Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines arrangements and are underpinned in our statutory instruments, is Network (SIGN). by modernised regulation of health sometimes controversial but Although NICE has no professionals (including continuing inevitable. responsibility for healthcare outside professional education). The the UK, there has been an Healthcare Commission plays a Who chooses the topics for extraordinary interest in its special role through its clinical NICE’s work programme? evolution, methodologies and governance review of Trusts’ effectiveness. Analogous institutions performance. Further information Ministers are responsible for have now been established in can be found in Assessing the selecting the topics for all NICE’s Greece, Germany and France; and a Standards at programmes. Full details of the Portuguese agency will begin work www.healthcarecommission.org.uk. process they follow can be found on shortly. Our website also has visitors the Department of Health website at from across the globe. www.dh.gov.uk . The future Suggestions for topics about which NICE will continue to serve the How will NICE fit into the NICE should develop guidance clinical and public health public health sector? come from a number of sources communities. In doing so it must including healthcare professionals, NICE guidance supports evidence- demonstrate that it is using tax- patients, carers, the general public, based decision making by the public payers’ money effectively, and with the National Horizon Scanning health community at large. The tangible benefits for patients and the Centre and the Department of public health topics which have public. Unquestionably, its most Health’s National Clinical Directors. been selected are those which are difficult task is to explain to the Until July this year the topic associated with the major avoidable professions, patients and the public selection process was undertaken by forms of ill health and premature that there is a finite limit to NHS the Department of Health. This has death. They include measures to resources. It is the Institute’s now been devolved to NICE itself; reduce tobacco and alcohol responsibility, in giving advice to the and although ministers will have the consumption, to encourage exercise, NHS, to consider the best interests final responsibility for topic referral to promote better nutrition, and to of all those who depend on the NHS each will be worked up by the improve sexual health. They will for their care balancing fairness with Institute’s staff. also incorporate approaches to the common good. reducing substance misuse and sustaining mental health. 1 Unlike the NICE process, which has up till now only Geographical remit assessed licensed drugs for their clinical and cost- effectiveness which have been specifically referred to us NICE produces technology by the Department of Health, all drugs must first of all How does NICE fit into the receive a marketing authorisation, based on whether appraisals and clinical guidelines for they are safe and whether they work, from the the NHS in England, Wales and NHS? Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or at a Europe-wide level from the European Northern Ireland, and public health NICE and the National Service Medicines Agency (EMEA) before they can be freely guidance for the NHS and local Frameworks are responsible for prescribed. 2 The Department of Health has however made it clear to government in England. NICE’s setting clear national standards for the NHS in guidance that it is not acceptable to refuse guidance on the safety and efficacy NHS services and treatments. The a treatment simply because NICE guidance does not yet exist. The NHS must make its own assessment of interventional procedures, which Department of Health’s document based on available evidence.

NICE was established, in 1999, as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and further information can be found in The New NHS, Modern and Dependable and NHS Wales, Putting Patients First and in A First Class Service: Quality in the New NHS, published by the Department of Health, and Quality Care and Clinical Excellence, published by the Welsh Assembly Government. Information about the HDA can be found in Saving Lives, Our Healthier Nation and A Research and Development Strategy for Public Health. These documents are published by the Department of Health: visit the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 7 Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester Dr Ian Griffin, Director

anchester was the world’s 1969. During the 1970s the metropolitan county councils, first industrial city and has museum became a victim of its own including GMC, meant that the Mbeen a centre of innovation success when its collection and Museum needed a new source of in science and engineering from the visitor numbers outgrew the core funding. Fortunately, the start of the Industrial Revolution. existing facilities. Luckily an Museum was successful in making a Dalton and Joule carried out opportunity to re-locate the case for receiving core funding from groundbreaking work here, and it Museum to a new site presented national government through the was just outside the city that Sir itself when, in late 1978, after then Office of Arts and Libraries, Bernard Lovell created Jodrell Bank mounting public pressure, British and today continues to be nationally in time for the dawn of the space Rail sold the historic, but derelict funded as a NDPB by the age. It is therefore appropriate that and unused, site of the world’s first Department for Culture, Media and the Museum of Science and passenger railway station, on the Sport. Industry in Manchester (MSIM) Liverpool Road in Manchester to the Today the Museum occupies a large exists today to showcase the region’s Greater Manchester Council. (2.5 hectare) site in the centre of contributions to science and its rich The sale, for £1, enabled the Manchester, whose five listed industrial heritage. We also strive to renovation of the passenger station buildings contain seventeen act as a vehicle to promote science and a freight shed and the site, galleries. The ongoing development and engineering and to inspire the together with the UMIST collection, of the Museum from its humble next generation of creative people became the founding assets of the origins has depended heavily on who will keep our country at the Greater Manchester Museum of raising money through grants (from forefront of scientific and Science and Industry Trust in 1981. sources such as English Heritage, technological innovation. The Museum opened at Liverpool the European Regional MSIM is a relatively young Road Station on 15 September Development Fund and the institution, with origins dating back 1983, the 153rd anniversary of the Heritage Lottery Fund), commercial to the mid-1960s. Back then, opening of the Liverpool & sponsorship and through its own Donald Cardwell, a Professor at the Manchester Railway. trading activities which generate University of Manchester Institute In 1985, another opportunity to significant income from catering, for Science and Technology expand arose when Manchester City retail and other commercial (UMIST), realised that the closure of Council asked the Museum to take activities such as hosting large local manufacturing industries was over the Air and Space Museum, touring exhibitions. leading to the loss of items of which the City Council had opened The Museum’s success in fund- significant scientific and industrial in May 1983. The Air and Space raising has been demonstrated heritage. He decided to prevent this, Museum was housed in the adjacent through its continuing expansion, and started collecting artefacts and Lower Campfield Market Hall. An providing new galleries and other records from local factories and agreement was reached and the public facilities. Its reputation for mills as they closed down. Museum thus acquired its Air and excellence has been endorsed by the The UMIST collection became the Space Hall with an unique many awards that it has received, nucleus of a new museum, the collection of large aircraft, including including the Museum of the Year North Western Museum of Science an Avro Shackleton. award in 1990 (jointly with the and Industry, which opened in In 1986 the abolition of the Imperial War Museum). Public

Characters you may find in the Museum

8 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 educational project, which aims to bridge the gap in understanding of the rich heritage that the Muslim community share with other communities in the UK and Europe. The project also includes a concurrent events programme and provision of educational resources. 1001 Inventions focuses on the period between circa 600-1600 AD referred to in the West as the “Dark Ages” which was a time when science was in fact actually very much alive and flourishing in Europe and elsewhere. It was the period when Muslims flourished in science and it provided the springboard from which the renaissance emerged. The exhibition Replica locomotive, Planet, steaming past the Grade1 listed building. looks at this one thousand-year gap of science and technology and appreciation has been evident in the Institution we have great ambition. highlights some of the main Muslim Museum's healthy visitor numbers, In addition to preserving, protecting contributions to civilization and the which peaked at just over 350,000 and interpreting the collection, we pioneers behind them, to inspire a in 1998-99. The resumption of free have developed and are similar innovation from current and admission in December 2001 implementing a vision that has future generations. boosted visitor numbers, which identified six key themes: Energy, reached a record 492,000 in Community, Science, Transport, The exhibition and indeed the 2004-05. Industry and the Environment partnership has been a tremendous which will be used as channels to success for the Museum. An From the beginning this Museum independent evaluation has has been committed to the showcase and interpret the past, present and potential future determined that it has driven over restoration of machinery to working 10,000 new visitors to the Museum order and to maximising public interactions of people, science and industry. (the majority of whom are Muslim) access to our collections, which are and importantly that is having a designated by the Museums, Through researching, recording and positive impact on them when they Libraries and Archives Council as sharing the stories behind every are here. The exhibition will tour being “pre-eminent collections of building, artefact and archive at the throughout the UK for a period of national and international Museum, we aim to use our two years from September 2006. importance”. Amongst our most collections to inspire interest in popular galleries are the Power Hall, science, technology and In summary, our Museum has which contains a large number of engineering, helping to create a evolved over the past two decades fully working historic machines, more science-literate society. In our from an industrial wasteland to a and the Textile Gallery, where quest to achieve this goal, a new successful museum whose 17 visitors can see the entire textile master plan is being created for our galleries regularly attract nearly half manufacturing process, from cotton institution. We know that to be a million visitors per year, all of to woven garment, demonstrated, successful we must reach a diverse whom want to find out more about again using the original machinery. audience, and need to make our past, present and future achievements in science and Like most museums, despite the fact collections challenging, relevant and accessible to all. technology. Our success continues we have a relatively large city centre to be founded on the energy and site, we are only able to display a Partnership with other organisations motivation of our staff, together small fraction of our collections in is another important aspect of our with the ongoing support from the our permanent galleries. Unlike vision since it allows us to use the Department for Culture, Media and most museums, despite the large skills and expertise of others to help Sport. As a national and regional physical size of much of our us develop. For example we have asset, we have taken the uniqueness collections (such as printing presses recently enjoyed a most successful of our site and embraced the notion and aircraft!), we can also provide collaboration with the Foundation of “inspired learning for all” as a key access to about a third of our for Science Technology and focus of our activity, creating a real reserve collections through our on- Civilization (FSTC) to host an sense of purpose in showcasing our site Collections Centre. exhibition on the Muslim unique collections to wider With a site of such historic contribution to civilization. The communities. We are determined to significance and a large and growing result of this partnership is “1001 ensure that everyone who visits our collection, the staff at the Museum Inventions: Discover the Muslim Museum, whether novice or have their work cut out simply to Heritage in our World” which is a knowledgeable, young or old, has a preserve, protect and interpret our unique UK-wide travelling real chance to become engaged in rich heritage. However, as an exhibition. It forms part of an shaping the future of this country.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 9 Enriching the Science Learning Experience

Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive, SETNET ach year successful pupils are access to high quality meaningful superb opportunities it offers. pictured leaping in the air activities for students and schools. That’s quite an ambition in today’s Eclutching that all important Furthermore, by linking schools to environment when young people are GCSE and A-level results paper, those companies and organisations choosing not to study the “hard” and while proud parents and teachers that employ STEM-educated people, “boring” STEM subjects beyond the share in their exhilaration and students can begin to get a clearer statutory minimum point but one we breathe a sigh of relief. idea of the extensive and diverse are confident we can achieve. range of careers available to them. A-level and GCSE results SETNET, together with our wide undoubtedly stir mixed emotions, SETNET is one of the Government’s range of partners, provide a questions are raised on standards principal agents for encouraging complementary range of services to with the increasingly loud chorus of young people’s engagement with those formal educational activities “are they too easy?” and single STEM at school and we are which were strengthened in the science and maths performance is put continuously expanding our work, Government’s “Science and under the microscope. connecting with even more schools. Innovation Investment Framework Science exam results were in the The need for such assistance is more (SIIF) – Next Steps” document headlines particularly this year as the relevant than ever as the new Science published alongside the budget in CBI talked of the growing crisis in GCSE curriculum brings a much March. recruiting skilled scientists and stronger focus on real-life With strong links to business and engineers and the threat of this gap applications of science and the issues industry at a local, regional and to international competitiveness. surrounding scientific debate. Our national level, SETNET, the There is no doubt that a large goal is to work with the teaching SETPOINTs and our associated number of the UK’s wealth-creating profession to support and, where partners can provide schools with businesses are facing recruitment appropriate, deliver activities access to a wide range of issues and we frequently hear these designed to complement these programmes, resources and activities concerns from our corporate changes. to help give a “real world” sense of supporters not just at a graduate And whilst we firmly believe that the how STEM subjects can lead to a intake but also at a technician level. most important influence in engaging variety of employment opportunities. From some of the media coverage, young people in STEM education is SETPOINTs may also be able to help the general public could be forgiven the quality of teaching, young people schools by delivering some of those for thinking that science in school is may not be sufficiently attracted to activities, or by pointing teachers to generally in a dire situation. science qualifications if they cannot others who can do so. However, although science teachers see rewarding and relevant careers at Many such activities can be would be the first to tell you that the end of their study. supported by our Science & there are always things that could be The issues are complex, but we share Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) improved, there are many positive the view widely expressed in the programme – individuals from a wide steps under way to tackle the STEM community that much of the variety of STEM backgrounds, from challenge of encouraging more young available formal careers advice still across the UK, who have offered their people to pursue science, technology, does little to dispel myths about time and expertise to help schools engineering or mathematics (STEM) science being for “boffins”, IT for inspire young people. Having a in their further studies and careers. “geeks” and engineering for those genuine focus on a future career path who don’t mind being “tough and can act as a real stimulus to young To support teachers in their ability to grubby”. people in achieving better engage and inspire the next qualifications. generation SETNET, the national For example, you only have to look Science, Engineering and Technology at the numbers of women studying The volunteer Ambassadors cover a Network, was established in 1996. computer science (26% of total CS broad spectrum of STEM disciplines SETNET is tasked with bringing students) or engineering (14% of and careers – from marine biologists STEM activities and excitement into total engineering students) to know to mathematicians studying climate schools and colleges throughout the that a perception problem still exists. change, aeronautical engineering UK, enhancing and enriching the It is the role of SETNET and its UK- apprentices to medical physicists and STEM curriculum. It does this wide network of SETPOINTs to help industrial chemists to electrical through working with a range of break down these perceptions. We engineers developing satellite partners, including its UK wide want to make an impact on the technologies. network of local SETPOINTs – career choices of young people by SETNET and the SETPOINTs’ links organisations skilled in facilitating demonstrating through added value to business and Higher Education education-business links and working educational activities the relevance of allow us to provide teachers with with other STEM partners to provide STEM in today’s world and the appropriately trained, CRB-checked

10 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Regions which have not been involved in the pilot stage are keen to get on board as soon as possible, since partners such as the RDAs, industry, schools, Association of Science Educators (ASE) and others have communicated early the benefits already seen from the pilots. SETNET and SETPOINTs are also committed to supporting those organisations whose key role is teacher Continual Professional Development (CPD). Significant work is currently taking place to build sustainable partnerships between SETNET, SETPOINTs, the Science Ambassadors who can act as role English Regions. Learning Centres, ASE, NAIGS and other CPD providers to create end-to- models and deliver exciting, novel Pilot STEM Support Centres are demonstrations and project ideas. end experiences where teacher CPD, being established in three of the introduction to enhancement At the same time, by providing this English Regions – South East, activities and further classroom unique bridge between businesses Yorkshire and the Humber and support can be delivered in a and schools, SETNET and London, each co-ordinated by the seamless manner. SETPOINTs can help employers gain appropriate SETNET Regional a better understanding of the skills Director. In each of these three Through the new Regional STEM and attainment of young people, and regions, a number of key steps have Support Centres SETNET will be the way in which their organisations been completed to allow the STEM working to encourage such can assist teachers. Support Centre development. collaboration as well as signposting appropriate opportunities to teachers Employers and individual A funding commitment has been and schools. We will also be Ambassadors tell us that they given by the appropriate Regional encouraging SETPOINTs and other themselves gain from involvement Development Agency (RDA) (for 2 or partners to work with the Science with students and teachers – they 3 years) for the initial establishment Learning Centres to develop courses further develop their confidence, of the Centre and core functions. that have business support and presentational and managerial skills After consultation with appropriate contexts which are attractive and as well as, in some cases, igniting an organisations, individuals and groups relevant for teachers. interest in teaching as a career. in the regions, initial Management or By working together to tackle the By the end of 2007 we aim to have Advisory Boards have been formed or issue of supply in three compatible expanded the SEAs Programme, from are in the process of being finalised ways: firstly by ensuring more its current level of 12,000 to 18,000 for each Regional STEM Support science teachers are subject trained volunteers. We will also be reviewing Centre, each with a regionally and provided with consistent the training that all Ambassadors influential Chair. In addition, a STEM professional development; secondly undergo to ensure it is of the highest Communication Manager has been by providing those teachers with standard and even better equips them appointed for each Centre to support relevant, inspiring and engaging to work with schools, particularly development of processes and STEM activities; and thirdly matching those which have not benefited methods for communicating that activity with improved careers before from dedicated STEM proactively with schools and colleges. from STEM advice and information, curriculum enrichment activities; the Early feedback in each of the Regions we could turn the tide on numbers. so-called “hard to reach schools”. is highly positive with teachers, Local It requires many organisations, As DfES’s own review of science Authority Advisors and Inspectors, Government, business and industry curriculum enrichment activities has industrial contacts, STEM partners to work together to support our shown, schools too often face a and others. All immediately science, technology, engineering and confusing plethora of choices, not all identifying with the need for maths teachers so that we can of which are properly linked to the increased co-operation, coherence demonstrate to our young people the curriculum or quality assured. This and clarity, STEM Support Centres real opportunities. We can not just has led to many schools simply not are seen as a major development in say it is important to do science, we taking advantage of any offerings. meeting that need. have actively to show them the SETNET is ideally placed to assist As Corinne Stevenson, a Senior benefits. schools in making sense of this and is Advisor Science at Hounslow Local This is why SETNET will continue to now playing a leading role in the Authority recently communicated to speak with teachers, schools and establishment of the Regional STEM us: “Finally, a wonderful opportunity other organisations to achieve greater Support Centres, being developed to to ensure all pupils are excited and awareness of the services and provide much more strategic and engaged and have access to science in opportunities we provide in the cohesive STEM approaches in the the real world.” STEM arena.

SETNET, 6th Floor, 10 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER 020 7557 6422 www.setnet.org.uk

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 11 SCIENCE CITIES Nurturing Knowledge Economies in the English Regions Professor Christopher Edwards, Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University.

elegates from England's six companies a globally competitive “Science Cities” will gather edge and to spawn new industries. Din Newcastle upon Tyne for The idea that universities can Regional Development Agencies are their third summit in February catalyse regional economic providing resources to pump-prime 2007 to discuss the progress being development is not new, although the Science Cities and are working made in their efforts to generate the UK has been less successful at with universities and other partners science-based knowledge economies producing results than some other to develop the necessary in the English regions. countries. One of the biggest infrastructure. The summit in problems has been that resources Newcastle will provide Ministers Newcastle, Manchester, York, have been provided in discrete Nottingham, Bristol and with a progress report of the first packages, by a multitude of agencies two years of the Science City Birmingham were designated as and funding initiatives, creating Science Cities almost two years ago initiative, as well as allowing barriers which have been difficult to delegates to share ideas and discuss by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, overcome. best practice. Gordon Brown, who recognised the The Science City initiative provides need to develop sustainable There is a great deal of common a more holistic approach, based on ground between the six science knowledge economies outside partnership between universities, London and the South East if the cities, yet each has developed a government and industry. This distinctive approach, geared to its UK is to compete effectively in the “triple helix” model was largely local needs. Newcastle is fortunate global marketplace of the future. developed by the American in that the regional development Research-intensive universities are academic, Henry Etzkowitz, who is agency, One NorthEast, was first to at the heart of the initiative. All six now advising Newcastle, having recognise the crucial role higher Science Cities are seeking new ways been appointed Professor of education would play and as long to harness the world-class Management of Innovation at ago as 1999 put universities at the technology and expertise possessed Newcastle University Business heart of its regional economic by their universities, to give School. strategy. This visionary approach is now paying dividends. By the time Gordon Brown announced details of the Science City initiative in December 2004, the North East already had a number of relevant projects in place, including five “Centres of Excellence” bringing together industry and academic researchers in key areas. One NorthEast had also established excellent relationships with the region's five universities; Newcastle, Durham, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside. Newcastle was therefore able to move quickly to seize opportunities. When a 22 acre site became Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury visits a “clean room” at Newcastle University, where nanotechnology devices are manufactured without fear of contamination available in the commercial heart of by dust or other particles. the city in 2005, as a result of a

12 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 major employer relocating to new to deliver on the Science City premises, the majority of the site agenda. We will develop better ways was purchased for £33m by a of working with businesses, partnership of One NorthEast, attracting more and bigger Newcastle City Council and companies and other organisations Newcastle University, with a view to to work with us, and creating the redeveloping it as the “hub” of right conditions for University spin- Science City. The partnership has out companies to grow larger, ambitious plans to develop this site sowing the seeds of future with public and private money and industries. envisages that some of the region's We are crossing other boundaries, best scientists will work there, too, since we recognise that it is not alongside research and development possible to create a knowledge teams from leading companies. This atomic force microscope is among economy on science alone and that Newcastle University Business Newcastle University's impressive array of we must engage Society at all levels. School will play an important role, research facilities which enables it to work For example we are forging links building bridges between the with high-tech companies. with schools and colleges through partnership and the private sector, staff and over 17,000 students, the our education workstream and will and has recently announced that it University has helped hundreds of in future contribute to the science is creating new headquarters close companies develop products and curriculum and raise aspirations. to the hub. The partnership also has processes through research, Education is already a key theme at the benefit of advice from the consultancy and postgraduate the Centre for Life, which has business software company Sage student placements. The process is enthused thousands of local PLC, one of Newcastle's most encouraged via outreach youngsters about human genes and DNA, as a result of school visits to successful and progressive organisations such as Knowledge its Lifelab centre. The University businesses, whose Chief Executive, House, which provides a one-stop campus also attracts thousands of Paul Walker, chairs the science city shop for companies seeking access young visitors each year to its open leadership group. to university technology and days, museums and public lectures. As the hub of Newcastle Science expertise. More recently, the Engagement with young people is City develops, it will form University has established the regarded as particularly important relationships with existing research Stephenson Centre to work with because we are sowing the seeds of centres in the city, including the businesses in various engineering the next generation of scientists and Centre for Life, the Campus for disciplines. Ageing and Vitality and, of course, skilled employees. Our Science City Clearly, Science City is an extension will therefore be sustainable. the University itself. of an ongoing process. Newcastle The Centre for Life is perhaps best We have also decided that and the North East have in fact Newcastle's geographical boundaries known as the home of stem cell been listening to Society and research in Newcastle. This unique should not be barriers and we are meeting its needs for centuries; by extending the principles of science facility was a Millennium Project developing steam power, railways and can be regarded as a pilot for city to the “city region” of North and electric light; designing better East England. This is allowing us to Science City, since it has brought housing, opening the world's first together researchers from Newcastle engage with more key businesses, department store and introducing for example the chemicals and Durham Universities, clinicians the first water fluoridation system, from the Newcastle NHS industries on Teesside, as well as to name a few innovations which benefiting from our partnerships Foundation Hospitals Trust and have changed the world. biotechnology businesses, to work with the region's other universities, The entrepreneurs who forged the such as Durham in stem cell together in new and innovative region's powerhouse economy in ways. research. the 19th century recognised the The Science Cities initiative is The University's Campus for Ageing importance of advances in moving forward quickly and I am and Vitality, located at Newcastle technology and skills to sustain key sure that all six designated cities General Hospital, is modelled along industries and helped to establish will be able to demonstrate similar lines. It has grown into one the colleges which were the fore- significant progress at the of Europe's largest groups of runners of Newcastle University. forthcoming summit. It is essential researchers and clinicians While these traditional industries that the momentum is kept up — specialising in old age medicine and have all but disappeared, the ethos and not just for the benefit of the has forged links with the private of applied research and vocational six Science Cities. The fact is that all sector, including a major global teaching survives in the University of the UK's cities, towns and regions company operating in this area. to this day. will be vulnerable if the UK fails to Newcastle University campus is As Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle respond adequately to competition central to the city geographically as University, I have pledged that the from emerging countries such as well as economically. With 4,600 University will “transform” in order China, India and Brazil.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 13 The Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award The Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award is the UK’s premier prize for engineering and is given annually for an outstanding innovation of benefit to the community. The 2006 Award winner was Optos plc for the innovation of ultra-wide field retinal imaging

escribed at its launch as “the and helps to convince students and This multidisciplinary approach has Nobel Prize for engineering”, young people coming through the been well demonstrated in recent Dthe Award was founded by educational system to choose years. In 2004, IBM UK The MacRobert Trust and first engineering as a career. Laboratories won the award for the presented in 1969. Since 1976 the The MacRobert Award was devised WebSphere MQ family of software award has been presented by The with the specific objective of products. The products provide a Royal Academy of Engineering, a rewarding the very best innovation failsafe means of exchanging prize fund having been established in engineering in any year, it being business-critical information with donations from The MacRobert understood that successful between computer systems, Trust, the Academy and British innovation can take several years to irrespective of their location and industry. It honours the winning bring about. The award would be regardless of the hardware, company with a gold medal and the open to individuals or teams (of up programming language, operating team members with a prize of to five people) from any size of system or communication protocol. £50,000, presented at The Royal company or institution. From the Launched in 1994, it took ten years Academy of Engineering Awards outset, it was recognised that in to establish. When IBM received the Dinner in June. Individual medals order to meet this goal the Award MacRobert Award in 2004, the Vice are then presented to each team would have to transcend traditional President, Graham Spittle had the member by HRH The Duke of boundaries – sectors, disciplines following comments to make; “We Edinburgh at a ceremony in and so on. In addition, whilst many are delighted that the IBM Buckingham Palace. There is also past winners of The MacRobert Websphere software family has been the opportunity for the winning Award have been for engineering honoured with this prestigious team to stage a display at the innovation in the area of products, award by The Royal Academy of Science Museum in London. it was acknowledged that systems, Engineering… the award recognises There are usually between 30 and processes, structures and software the importance of software as an 50 submissions for the Award each were equally eligible. All fall within engineering discipline in its own year which are reviewed by a panel the boundaries of engineering, right, as much as it recognises the of judges drawn from all areas of making the Award a true success of WebSphere MQ. The engineering, each bringing their manifestation of what The Royal MacRobert Award indicates the own expertise to the task. A Academy of Engineering is all about maturity of the industry and shortlist of companies are visited by – the pursuit and promotion of recognises the significance of the panel members leading to the excellence in engineering. role IT plays in the modern world.” selection of no more than four finalists. Each finalist then receives a visit from the entire panel of judges before the overall winner is selected. While competition is intense and the judging process both lengthy and rigorous, the rewards are many. In addition to the gold medal and prize money, one of the major benefits of the MacRobert Award is the public recognition that it brings. The winner becomes a role model, and a vehicle for publicising the achievements of British engineers. This recognition can also provide a major morale boost for many companies, motivating them to make further innovations and developments. It can strengthen a company’s ability to encourage and motivate younger team members IBM’s WebSphere MQ software © IBM

14 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 The success of IBM in 2004 was Continuously Regenerating Trap to the retina. followed by CSR plc in 2005. CSR control diesel pollution). However, Optos now have over 200 imaging were responsible for the design and smaller companies have been devices installed in eye and health introduction of the single chip equally successful over the years. care practices in the UK, Germany, radio, BlueCore™00 – commonly Employing only 120 members of USA and Canada, and have known as Bluetooth. As the first staff, Cambridge Display conducted over 8 million patient company to place a radio Technology won the award in 2002 examinations to date. “We work transmitter and receiver, for its Light Emitting Polymers for hard to save sight and save lives; microprocessor and memory on a Display Applications. This enabled that is what it’s always been about,” single chip of silicon, CSR were able flat screen televisions and says Global Product Director, to exploit a totally new market computers to give as good a picture Alastair Atkinson. “We are opportunity and as a result became as the cathode ray tubes in extremely proud of what we’ve a global success story. The Award conventional televisions, without achieved so far; not only in terms of recognised not only their innovation the bulk or complexity. The 2006 the technology but also in terms of and commercial success but also the MacRobert finalists inspired how we strive to make our fact that they had gathered together comparisons with “David and innovations available in the most some of the best engineers to Goliath” – amongst the four cost-effective way we can for our develop it – including nearly 300 companies competing for the prize customers. To have the value of our people at their research were Airbus UK, who employ technology and our contribution to headquarters in Cambridge. CSR 13,000 members of staff, alongside society recognised by such an had captured the aims of the award a tiny spinout from the University esteemed organisation as The Royal perfectly – seeking, seizing and of Aberdeen, Brinker Technology, Academy of Engineering and its securing commercial opportunities who employ 13 staff members! MacRobert Award means a great through outstanding engineering In the event neither Airbus nor deal to us.” innovation. Brinker won the 2006 MacRobert The 2006 MacRobert Award Award. The honour went to Optos winning team – Executive Vice- plc, a company that has Chairman, Douglas Anderson, Chief revolutionised eye care and the Technology Officer, David Cairns, early detection of retinal defects and Alastair Atkinson – were with its ultra wide retinal imagers. presented with the MacRobert Optos was founded in 1992 by Award Gold Medal by the Duke of Douglas Anderson after his then 5 Kent on 5 June at the Academy year old son lost sight in one eye Awards Dinner. On 16 June the due to retinal detachment being team attended a private ceremony at diagnosed too late, despite regular Buckingham Palace where they were eye examinations. Routine retinal presented with their individual examination methods provide only medals and prize money by the a limited narrow-field view of the Academy’s senior Fellow, HRH The retina – typically less than five per Duke of Edinburgh. cent in a single capture. The CSR’s single chip device, BlueCore™ © CSR plc limitations of these methods spurred Anderson to go on to The judging panel has always been oversee the development and adamant that the size of a company commercialisation of a unique non- should not be an influencing factor invasive imager which, in quarter of in their choice of winner. Previous a second, captures a high resolution MacRobert awardees have included digital image of over 80 per cent of well known names and large the retina. Such vastly increased companies such as Rolls-Royce plc performance has significantly (for the Trent aero-engine), BP reduced the risk of missing early International (for advancing the signs of eye diseases, as well as application of hydraulic fracturing indicators of other non-eye related technology used in the exploitation diseases such as diabetes, David Cairns, Alastair Atkinson and of oil and gas reserves), and hypertension and certain cancers, Douglas Anderson receive their MacRobert Johnson Matthey plc (for the which are often first exhibited in Award Medals at Buckingham Palace

For further information regarding the MacRobert Award, or to make a submission, please contact Clare Huddlestone at The Royal Academy of Engineering or visit the Academy website at www.raeng.org.uk Submission forms for the 2007 MacRobert Award will be available from October 2006 and must be received no later than 31 January 2007.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 15 Research Finds Masonry Homes Can Have Lowest Whole Life CO2 Impact

New research by independent consulting engineer Arup shows that when it comes to reducing the operational CO2 emissions the utilisation of thermal mass is paramount. Andrew Minson, Head of Framed Buildings at The Concrete Centre, explains

ver the life of a home, the in as little as 11 years and can The energy savings are not operational CO2 emissions ultimately lead to the lowest CO2 restricted to eliminating the need Ohave far more emissions over the life of the house for air conditioning. Thermal mass environmental impact than the The research compares lightweight can also be used to capture solar embodied CO2 of the materials used timber homes with medium weight and internal gains during the to build it. Some 50% of the UK’s and heavyweight masonry homes heating season and re-radiate the carbon emissions are due to the and found that the latter can have heat into the room as the energy used to heat, cool and light the lowest total energy consumption temperature begins to fall in the late buildings. It is essential, therefore, and CO2 emissions over their life. afternoon. Otherwise known as that the energy which is likely to be This was achieved through using passive solar design, this energy consumed during a building’s the thermal mass in blockwork saving technique is very simple and lifecycle is taken into account when internal walls. It was also found that basically requires little more than evaluating construction materials. A the addition of concrete floors glazing that is orientated to the building’s environmental impact increased the operational CO2 south and adequate thermal mass in does not stop once it has been built. savings still further over the life of the floors and/or walls to capture New research from Arup Research + the house. Beyond this, additional and store heat from the low winter Development shows that modern increases in thermal mass are sun. It is applicable to standard masonry houses that take advantage beneficial but the offset period house designs and its ability to of their inherent thermal mass of obviously becomes longer. reduce the load on conventional concrete can save a significant Lightweight homes were found to heating systems enables worthwhile amount of energy over their lifetime overheat more frequently during the savings in heating fuel and CO2 compared to lightweight timber predicted hotter summers of the emissions to be realised over the life frame housing. The research is the 21st century which could in turn of a house. Straightforward most comprehensive study to date lead to an increase in the use of air guidance on passive solar design to examine both embodied and conditioning resulting in greater (PSD) is available to download from operational CO2 emissions from energy use and CO2 emissions. the Carbon Trust website, dwellings in a warming climate. It Homes built using heavyweight www.thecarbontrust.co.uk provides strong evidence that construction materials with their Tom de Saulles, Senior Manager for lightweight timber homes may not inherent thermal mass will be cooler Building Sustainability for the be as comfortable or as sustainable in the summer and so will not suffer British Cement Association, explains in the long term as heavyweight overheating to such a degree. that the research was based on the masonry construction. The research takes account of experts’ predictions for climate change and demonstrates that the thermal mass in masonry homes can reduce the likely need for air conditioning in the coming years. It also highlights the additional savings that can be achieved by using thermal mass to capture solar and internal gains thereby reducing the consumption of fuel during the heating season. These savings can offset the slightly higher level of embodied CO2 in a masonry house

16 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 study of a two-bedroom semi- assumed that air conditioning weight home and 2061 for the detached house in the south east of would be installed. From the outset, medium-heavy and heavyweight homes. England, typical of the type of all the houses had solar shading and The better winter performance due “starter home” envisaged by the an appropriate ventilation strategy to PSD of the masonry house was Government for major areas of to help mitigate the effects of found to negate its marginally housing development such as the climate change. higher level of embodied CO2 Thames Gateway. Analysis of Weather data representative of the compared with the lightweight lifecycle CO2 emissions was carried climate of suburban London was house in just 11 years. The out on four “weights” of used as the basis of the lifecycle medium-weight masonry home was construction: light, medium, analysis. The data covered the 20- calculated to have around 1.25 medium-heavy and heavy. The year period (1976-1995) and was tonnes more embodied CO2 than lightweight class was a timber-frame repeated in sequence to cover the the equivalent timber house, yet home with timber floors, exterior 100-year period of 1996-2100. This over a 60-year period the timber brick and internal plasterboard was then modified using a framed home was found to emit 9 finish. Medium weight was the continuously ramped morphing to 15 tonnes more CO2. Whilst same but with brick and block factor which takes account of the recognising that there are many cavity walls. The medium- UKCIP02 medium-high emission variables that can influence thermal heavyweight house had a pre-cast scenario for climate change in the performance, the research highlights concrete first floor and ground floor 21st century. the ability of masonry and concrete partitions of medium-weight The lightweight home was found to construction to provide the best concrete blocks with a plasterboard need air conditioning by 2021. This long-term sustainable building finish. Finally, the heavyweight compared to 2041 for the medium- option through energy efficient design. house had the highest level of thermal mass with heavyweight Cumulative CO emissions (air conditioned cases) blocks used for the external walls 2 240 and internal partitions, together 220 Heavy with a pre-cast concrete first floor 200 Medium-Heavy and loft floor. 180 Medium Occupancy was assumed to be 160 Light continuous, with a family of two 140 adults, one of whom was at home 120 during the day with a pre-school 100 age child. In all house types, gas- 80 fired central heating with radiators (tonnes) CO2 produced 60 was assumed and had a set point of 40 19ºC for the bedrooms, 21ºC for 20 0 the living room and 22ºC for the 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100 bathroom. In the summer, three Year operating modes were considered: natural ventilation, conventional air Cumulative CO emissions (mixed-mode cases) conditioning and mixed-mode, 2 240 which was air conditioning 220 Heavy combined with natural ventilation 200 Medium-Heavy so the benefits of passive cooling are 180 Medium realised whenever possible. In line 160 Light with guidance from the Chartered 140

Institution of Building Services 120 Engineers (CIBSE), a house was 100 judged to have overheated if 1% of 80 the occupied hours in the living (tonnes) CO2 produced 60 room were over 28ºC or 26ºC in 40 one or more of the bedrooms. The 20 research also included the caveat 0 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100 that this must occur in at least 3 in Year 5 consecutive years before it was For more information see www.concretecentre.com/greenhomes

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 17 STATE OF THE NATION REPORT 2006 An assessment of the state of the UK’s infrastructure by the Institution of Civil Engineers

Quentin Leiper, ICE Senior Vice-President

The 2006 ICE State of the Nation report, launched on Tuesday 17 October, is the annual examination of the UK’s infrastructure. It is compiled each year by a panel of experts drawn from the various fields of expertise across ICE’s membership and the report features material from across ICE’s UK regions. Some of the key findings of this year’s report include:

Water and wastewater stepping up the replacement of old, help to eradicate the image of Water services in the UK generally leaky mains, recycling sewage landfill mountains and flocks of continue to be excellent. However, effluent (a measure we have hitherto scavenging seagulls. the drought of 2006 is showing only paid lip service to) and Changes in terminology can change that, in some parts of the country, developing desalination plants to perceptions; what has to follow are our existing water supplies are only treat brackish water in times of real efforts by the industry, just adequate for current demands. supply shortages. Inevitably, water Government and the public to put With rising demand, cutbacks in prices will have to rise to fund the this new emphasis to work. We existing supplies and the threat of investment – an uncomfortable fact must aim for a situation in which climate change, the need for that Government, regulators and the majority of materials that have increased water provision is customers must recognise. traditionally entered landfill are becoming more urgent. entering a cycle of reuse. To meet its Energy targets the UK will require 1,700 Economically-justified investment in In 2005, energy consumption rose, new facilities of a range of sizes to infrastructure is vital to keep our fuel prices shot up and domestic be up and running by 2012, at a water supply topped up. The production fell. cost of some £10 billion. appropriate mix of resource solutions and demand management The July 2006 report from the Flood management Government’s Energy Review should be maintained. This must Over the three years to March 2006, include planning new reservoirs, recognises the need for simpler planning and regulatory processes improved protection had been for new energy projects, and the provided to 100,000 more need to give greater encouragement properties. There are also now to the public to make energy 200,000 people on the Flood efficiency part of their daily lives. It Warning Direct service, with also recommends maintaining the 113,000 new users in England and mix of fuel sources in order to Wales. Flood-risk management has sustain or improve our security of become more strategic and supply. However, more sustainable. consultations and reports are However, over 4.5 million people, inevitable before the strategy is 2.3 million homes and 1.7 million implemented. hectares of land remain at risk from flooding in the UK. And studies by Waste management the Environment Agency report that We should move away from using 5% of the country’s 30,000km of the phrase “waste management”. flood defences are in a poor “Material resources and waste condition. At the same time the management” describes today’s potential cost of floods, in human industry more accurately and could and financial terms, is increasing.

18 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 3 Summer 2006 Rail Local transport Nine out of ten British trains arrive Over the last six years bus use in on time. However, in England the UK has risen steadily after many especially, the rail network is at full years of decline. Scratch the surface, stretch. We need a long-term however, and the story isn’t so national strategy to move passengers cheery. The increase is almost entirely the sole achievement of the and freight in comfort and on time. capital, where a franchise system, In England the future investment allowing Transport for London to programme is weighted towards control bus routes, frequencies and London and there is a danger that fares, has delivered a 55% increase major projects will soak up funding in bus use since 1985-86. Outside and human resources, leaving only London bus services are still fully the opportunity of minor tweaking deregulated and the same period of the rail infrastructure elsewhere. has seen huge falls in bus use. It is encouraging that Network Rail If this trend is allowed to continue, has set up a strategy group to look congestion will worsen, transport will become less accessible, and the at the human resources issue, and efficiently around the country, yet its £400 million discretionary fund implications for regeneration and urban development will be serious. their further development is in will allow vital minor improvements question. Port developers here to the network over the next three Airports cannot absorb the cost of major off- years. In spite of security scares, a rise in site works. But to remain competitive with continental Roads oil prices and a softening of the UK economy, passenger traffic at European ports, whose Congestion isn’t just an London’s airports still grew by 4%. development is often supported by inconvenience; it’s a millstone At regional airports traffic grew by regional governments, they cannot around the country’s neck. Hold- 9% for the second year running. afford to remain the size they are. ups on our motorways and trunk The Government must recognise Airports throughout the country ports as a vital organ in the national roads cost the economy £15 billion have ambitions for an every year. Measures in place now, economy and fund the unprecedented period of expansion. infrastructure that will help to keep such as the Traffic Officer Scheme But even with changes to the them healthy. and the installation of real-time planning system, getting planning information displays, are designed approvals will be difficult. Already, Conclusion to cope with congestion, not reduce the legal basis of airports’ expansion It is now time that we started vehicle use. For this, the most plans has been challenged in the answering the questions posed in effective policy would be for the courts. There is also the challenge of this year’s report: improving the transport Government to take a lead on road How do we intend to reconcile infrastructures that serve airports. user charging. Progress on demand rising demand for water with Road and rail connections need to management has been far slower dwindling resources? be upgraded in a co-ordinated, than expected. We need to start strategic way by the relevant Where is our electricity going to seeing more pilot schemes and the authorities. come from in the future? development of a national system of How can we stop our rubbish piling charging. Roads are the cheapest Seaports up on landfill sites? form of transport; they are also an Ports are vital to our economy and How do we tackle congestion on undervalued resource. could do more to move freight our roads and railways

To read the complete report please visit uk-infrastructure.org.uk For more information about ICE or the report, you can contact the ICE External Relations team on 020 7665 2265. About ICE The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. ICE is a global membership organisation that promotes and advances civil engineering around the world. Established in 1818, it has around 80,000 members throughout the world – including over 60,000 in the UK

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 3 Summer 2006 19 HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 19TH JUNE 2006 The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has recently been criticised for the imposition of unnecessary and bureaucratic restrictions on the development of scientific advances in human reproductive technologies in the UK while at the same time failing to provide effective regulation of some of the more commercial aspects of the business of aided human reproduction. Hence the question has arisen as to whether there is still need for regulation of this branch of medical practice by the HFEA in the UK and if so how this should be modified to respond to the need to encourage and promote scientific advances in the future while managing the negative aspects better. For example, about half of the multiple pregnancies in Britain, with all the related additional financial and healthcare burdens borne mainly by the NHS, are attributable to the work of fertility clinics that are still able to generate twin births unrestricted by the HFEA.

Regulation by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority isn’t Working

The Lord Winston, House of Lords

here is one area that Peter of eggs to the fallopian tube by techniques. They are a colossal Braude and I agree about, but means of GIFT (Gamete burden on the patients, on the Totherwise I wish to suggest to IntraFallopian Transfer) and enjoy babies, and on the health service. you that the mechanism for multiple pregnancies thereafter. There does need to be some regulation in the UK is totally That is not regulated. So is it mechanism by which we can unsatisfactory. In my view the justifiable to single out one branch prevent multiple births which must Human Fertilisation and of medical practice for regulation? I mean avoidance of multiple embryo Embryology Authority (HFEA) that think there is possibly no transfer. But beyond that I cannot regulates clinical work and research justification. There are many other think of any other regulatory in this country is unnecessary and is areas which may damage small, or justification for this Authority. What inhibiting work. This has reached as yet unborn children which are has happened in consequence of the stage where many of the not regulated and no particular this special regulation is that IVF is advantages, had we not had a suffering results in consequence. seen to be disreputable, dangerous, regulatory authority, have passed us This is true of neonatal paediatrics outside medicine in general. That by. I should emphasise that I have and obstetrics practice and other has certainly damaged it. It is not never been a member of the HFEA areas of medicine where there is funded in general through the NHS, and neither would I have chosen it equal risk of damage to babies and because it is seen to be disreputable had I been asked. children. So why single out the treatment, and in consequence out There are two areas that the HFEA embryo for special regulation in of the 30,000 women who will be is responsible for, the first is clinical clinical practice? treated this year, perhaps only work involving gametes which are The second issue is how practice is 5,000 will get treatment under the donated or stored, and embryos actually regulated. That was one NHS. Every excuse is constantly which are for use by in vitro area where I think Peter Braude and used not to include this treatment fertilisation (IVF). It is not for I undoubtedly agree. He will show in the NHS. If it were, of course, infertility, which is mostly you figures that support his view then we would have a totally unregulated; that is the first and I agree with them. About half different mechanism of governance. anomaly. It is perfectly possible in the multiple pregnancies in Britain At the present time it is subject to this country to transfer any number are generated through IVF all sorts of curious practices which

20 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 are dubious, and impossible to received her eggs does. Now with single justification for the HFEA. control. For example, the HFEA has the loss of anonymity of donors, Researchers have to put through a hardly managed to control private there is this shocking scenario research application to the authority practice at all. There is gross which means that, in eighteen years having already received ethical exploitation of patients, an example time, a woman who never got approval. So this leads to a is seen with overcharging. Where pregnant as a result of her own doubling up of the research things cannot be done by approval treatment may find that she has a approvals process. It delays by the HFEA, there is clear evidence child tracing her who she never research. In my most recent that patients are going overseas; knew that she had as a result of egg application to do stem cell research moreover, they are often going sharing. Oddly, the HFEA has on testicular cells, by the time I had overseas not merely with the connived at this process. got the licence for the work that I blessing of a clinic but actually by On the clinical side, let me mention wanted to do, it had already been arrangement by that clinic. There two other matters, one is the use of published in Nature by another are a number of practitioners in league tables. I find it astounding group. London who have monetary that just in the last few weeks the The HFEA still maintain that they arrangements with clinics overseas. HFEA has again published league are a model for the Universe, that Some of you who read The tables showing one clinic getting a they are the ideal paradigm which Observer will remember the story of 54% pregnancy rate, and with other countries follow, but I think I Svetlana in Kiev who was another one getting about 48%, and am right in saying that of the larger hyperstimulated five times, who some other clinics getting about countries only Canada has followed received only US$300, while 20% pregnancy rates. Now what a this model. No other country has patients paid £3,000 a treatment for regulatory authority should be done so and no European country her eggs. Some of those patients doing surely if it is going to have has done so. And they are right not were almost certainly British. any clout at all is to ask the to do so because it isn’t a sensible The practice of pre-implantation question “Why is this clinic so way of regulating research. Take the genetic diagnosis is an example much more successful than issue of embryonic stem cells, for where the HFEA has gone to great everyone else?” The evidence is that example, the great pride of our lengths to regulate. It is a curious some of the clinics that are very biological science. A search through situation whereby every mutation successful are doing all sorts of PubMed reveals that there are which is being tested for has to things with the mechanism of several hundred papers published have approval by the HFEA. Yet, recording which actually gives a on embryonic stem cells from the patients can get a termination for false impression of their success. United States of America where, of pregnancy in this country perfectly For example, sometimes treatment course, President Bush has banned legally and without controversy for is recorded as a drug trial and the public funding for embryonic stem any serious or life-threatening results subsequently excluded when cell research. In Britain at my last mutation without regulatory patients do not respond to those count, from the 14 clinics licensed recourse. Abortion is clearly a much drugs. Alternatively patients who in the United Kingdom, there were more grave decision, but pre- may not have a very good chance of a total of 17 peer reviewed implantation diagnosis cannot be a pregnancy may be referred to publications in the literature, of done without lengthy regulatory another clinic. which 13 come from just two units, approval to select the embryos The argument for the HFEA, of Cambridge and Newcastle. which are genuinely believed to be course, in its present form is that it So far from promoting research, the free of serious health defect. promotes public trust. The idea, of evidence is that the HFEA is There are numerous examples of course, is that without the HFEA actually inhibiting it and delaying it where the HFEA has taken a this treatment would be seen as and it is a serious worry at a time thoroughly bad decision. Let us take being more damaging and when academic medicine is so one example, such as the area of egg dangerous and not in the public much under threat that we have this donation where payment of donors interest. But the social science arcane and archaic method of is not allowed. On reflection it research to demonstrate whether regulation of research. There is no might be better if it was. What, of this opinion is true has never been question that people cannot do course, the HFEA does allow done. In fact one of the problems illegal experiments. Cloning is a actually is the payment of egg with the HFEA is that it has never criminal offence. There are a donors. It allows up to £3,000 of in its consultation process got number of issues which are clearly payment in kind by the process of things right. Does it really do defined in the Statute Books, which egg sharing. A woman who cannot effective consultation with the do not need the HFEA to regulate. pay for her treatment can go to a public? It just set up a website, and So my proposition is that if we are private clinic and can get IVF as she it could well be that regulatory going to review the Act of effectively pays for it by giving some authorities like this actually increase Parliament, we need to review it of her eggs. She may not get public distrust, not decrease it, by very thoroughly indeed and pregnant from her own treatment raising unnecessary concerns. consider whether or not this but the other patient who has On the research side there is not a method of regulation is sensible.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 21 HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES Do we still require regulation and what still needs regulating?

Professor Peter Braude, Head of Department of Women’s Health, King’s College London.

our key reasons for constructed) is no longer research but may be good at establishing the Human appropriate. Such confidentiality therapy, there is no means by which FFertilisation and Embryology has been destructive in that it has practitioners can learn the skills of Authority were: prevented the linking of information biopsy to satisfy the regulations • to protect patients and their through other medical databases, needed to become a licensed offspring by monitoring the safety such that epidemiological practitioner. and efficacy of a new therapeutic information and safety of IVF Length of cryostorage and research: technique cannot be examined. Substantial Embryos may be stored frozen for 5 • to allay public concerns about the effort is wasted by clinics in trying years, and that may be extended for creation and manipulation of to deal with this requirement, and a further 5 years if there is clinical human embryos by erecting significant time is apportioned need. The 5-year initial restriction barriers and having visible during inspection processes to has created problems; it can only be regulation examine compliance. Adverse extended if there are reasonable incident reporting that arises from grounds to expect the patient’s • to protect scientific freedom by defaulting the process is reproductive ability to be reassuring the public that the unnecessarily bureaucratic. permanently impaired. In practice it work was subject to monitoring is rare for this not to be able to be and proper control, and “Welfare of the Child” provisions: Concern for any child, even for argued and hence it is simply an • to protect those working in the those not yet born, is part of good additional bureaucratic step. In field from criticism and claims of medical practice. Specific legislation addition, should the 5 years be up, unethical behaviour. is unnecessary and simply frustrates the law as stands does not allow On balance the HFEA is and has clinics. The application as part of extension of storage if the embryos been a successful regulator that has good practice should be extended to are to be donated and stored fostered confidence from the public all parts of fertility treatment, where subsequently for research. This that clinics are being monitored and concerns should be acted upon. The restricts the use of a valuable embryo research is being policed. requirement has promoted the resource for stem cell research There is less confidence from the inclusion of counsellors into IVF amongst others. profession where some aspects of practice, but their need is wider Blunt instrument for sanctions: The practice have been made turgid by than the law requires. only recourse that the HFEA has to having to comply with obsolete non-compliance is removal of a requirements of an inflexible Act. treatment licence, or referral to the Although the Act has served well for Anomalies DPP if the law has been breached the past 15 years, it is timely that it Training in embryo manipulation significantly. These extraordinary is being revised. techniques: The strict terms for measures have only been used a protection of the embryo – couple of times, and if implemented treatment, storage and research have significant implications for What no longer needs licences – means that there can be patients in, or waiting for treatment regulating no training in how to biopsy at, that clinic. Simpler strong Confidentiality: To the public and (remove a cell for testing) outside of medicine which would have direct the profession, IVF has become a licensed research project. Licences effects on the owners or mainstream fertility therapy, and the for embryo biopsy are not granted practitioners in the clinic (fines, draconian provisions to protect until a certain number of suspension, name and shame) is information (even from other procedures have been undertaken. required for repeated or serious doctors as it was initially Where clinics do not perform misdemeanours.

22 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Future Challenges – The longer an embryo, it has been egg and have their own genetic continuing need for reported in the literature that day 4 material (nucleus) substituted – regulation or day 5 embryos cultured whole, akin to reproductive cloning but for Dealing robustly to ensure patient may be more reliable for stem cell medical reasons. How will our safety: Multiple pregnancy is a generation. Although the structure legislation deal with this very real significant problem in assisted of these embryos changes during medical need? reproduction. Triplets were a the culture, such that we believe Stem cells that become gametes: As constant feature of IVF treatment in they are incapable of further in normal development of sperm UK until early 2000, whereupon the development in a womb, they may and eggs from body cells, it seems HFEA encouraged practitioners to have to be cultured for more than increasingly possible that these replace no more than two embryos two weeks before they show the gametes could be derived from stem at a time. Although many complied, clear appearance of stem cell cells. The creation of sperm or eggs the financial imperative and formation. Would this be in breach in the laboratory is of real scientific competitive drive for commercial of the HFE Act 14-day rule despite interest in the study of cellular clinics to have the highest non-appearance of the “primitive processes, but also could be used to pregnancy rates meant that a streak” or semblance of normal generate a new embryo theoretically number continued with a high embryonic formation? Clarity in this capable of implantation and triplet rate. The imposition of area of the Act may be required. development. Although fertilisation mandatory regulations of two only Therapeutic and reproductive of these gametes in vitro would be has halved the triplet rate in this cloning: It is clear that one possible covered by the Act, the use in a country and saved many damaged way forward in the pursuit of stem Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer children and saved considerable cells useful in therapy and research (GIFT), a procedure where sperm money in the NHS. However the would be to develop embryos from and eggs are placed in the fallopian problem of twins still needs eggs that have had their genetic tube, is not. This anomaly addressing. Although the residual material removed and replaced by a demonstrates the need for a flexible triplet rate will include those that nucleus from a somatic cell from a approach to frequent revolutionary result from natural forces, the rest specific individual in order to scientific developments. It also derive from other unregulated forms produce a “tailor made” stem cell demonstrates the need for a of fertility treatment. Absence of line. Although the process may be regulatory body, which is regulation with teeth will simply viewed as similar to reproductive conversant with, and has sufficient allow the problem to persist. cloning, the intention of the process specialist understanding of the Stem cells: The process of is entirely different. But relevant law nuances of new developments in developing stem cells from the in does not include purpose. We now reproductive medicine and biology. vitro cultured human embryo have legislation to forbid the The intention to merge the HFEA requires extended culture in the process for reproductive purposes, within the Human Tissue Authority laboratory. Although in most cases but for patients with inherited in order to create a new broader the tissue destined to become mitochondrial disease, in whom the Regulatory Authority for Tissues placenta is separated from the in defect resides in the cytosol of the and Embryos “with a substantial lay vitro embryo at an early stage (5-6 egg, the only way forward to avoid representation”, simply as a political days) rendering it incapable of the disorder being inherited in the expedient to reduce the number of implantation and thus strictly no child, would be to utilise a donated NDPBs is a significant concern.

In discussion the following points were made: An article from New Scientist was quoted where it was viewed that “an embryo in a dish has as much chance of becoming a human being as a dish of diced carrots” as its future depends on intention; if it is in a dish it is not going anywhere, if it is in a uterus, that is a different story. Discussion about the faith view centres on when the soul enters the fertilised egg. The possibility of generating two cleaving embryos in the laboratory by splitting an earlier stage (eg an eight-cell embryo into two four-cell embryos) begs the question as to whether two individuals have been created with two souls. If this is then followed by their subsequent recombination into a single embryo as has been demonstrated in some mammals, does this individual, now have one soul and what happens to the additional soul thereby created? So the location of soul is where you want it to be, and there is no consensus on this between different faiths. Furthermore, a common sense view recognises that the majority of eggs, both fertilised and unfertilised in normal circumstances are simply flushed down the toilet without ceremony or undue concern by anyone. One of the most important medical problems impinging directly on the NHS is the current generation of about fifty per cent of all twin births arising from IVF due to the simultaneous implantation of two embryos. An unacceptably high proportion of the twin births thus created have serious medical problems giving rise to unnecessary pain and suffering for the children and expense for the general taxpayer which is a vitally important matter for the HFEA to consider and respond to.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 23 IS OPEN ACCESS THE FUTURE FOR SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING? MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 17TH JULY 2006 Competition from the World Wide Web is driven by publishers who levy page charges on the authors, and by self publication, thus removing the need for readers to pay charges for accessing scientific publications. Open Access to scientific literature and databases, guided by those with expert knowledge of relevant topics, is considered essential if the UK is to evolve from primary manufacturing to become a world class, successful and dynamic knowledge-based economy. The Learned Society business model currently underpins much of the scientific publication and knowledge base, complemented by university-based and commercial scientific publishers. This industry is also vitally important to the economy of some regions of the UK which services an international community of scientists. Will it be possible therefore to move to Open Access and enable scientific articles to become freely available without irretrievably damaging the present infrastructure, and what will be the consequences of not doing so? Open Access to scientific databases (often publicly funded) is also essential if progress is to be made. How can resistance to this be overcome and the primary data be made available for further scientific study and analysis for the benefit of us all and at minimum cost to the scientist? During discussion at the meeting the following points were raised: No change to the peer review model is anticipated with open access publishing, which can and must remain at the same standard as at present and has always been provided to journals free of charge. However the current failure to publish negative results which characterises some industry-funded research, must be addressed by open access publishers. The barrier to authorship from open access, when compared with the barrier to readership, indicates the need for an ongoing subsidy somewhere in the publishing system. There is no reason to believe that a funder- pays model should be any less sustainable than a subscription-based model. Journals are likely to evolve to lower standards due to the need to publish a larger volume of papers to provide sufficient income. Learned Societies, many of whom rely for their existence as publishers, are very concerned about their future. Web-based prepublication review of articles draws in additional reviewers, thereby increasing critical discussion prior to publication. Open access is becoming very complex while at the same time the interlibrary system is collapsing. Many of the journals that are currently most valued are new. It is relatively easy to establish a new high quality journal and Learned Societies will have to adapt, although not all Learned Societies have a journal and it is possible for them either to exist without a journal or to create a new innovative journal based on open access. Web based publishing provides an opportunity for experimentation in new ways of publishing, including peer review. It also facilitates the extraction of data by linking papers together electronically and generating increased access in Eastern Europe and India, for example, which is a desirable and positive result. The pharmaceutical industry is a major funder of research and not a free-rider with respect to open access. Free posting of articles after six months will not deter social scientists prepared to wait. The Bodeleian Library manuscript collection is being made available online. Both humanities and sciences will benefit from this new publishing model. Is Open Access the Future for Scientific Publishing?

Professor Mark Walport, Director, The Wellcome Trust

he Wellcome Trust has a £400 million on biomedical mission “to foster and research in the UK last year. Key to Tpromote research with the our mission is ensuring that the aim of improving human and results of the work that we fund can The findings of medical research are animal health”. As the UK's largest be read and utilised by the widest typically communicated through charitable foundation we spent over possible audience. specialist publications. Journal

24 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 publishers arrange for articles to be to improve health and show the provides free access to the literature checked by experts in the field public what they are doing. for the reader there are costs (“peer review”), and then publish Open access provides the associated with this approach. For papers in print and on the web. To opportunity for research findings to example, managing the peer-review access the papers, other scientists be more easily read and cited. process and copy editing the final need to take out a subscription to Providing open access to the manuscripts are value-added the journal or pay a fee to access an research literature also enables these services that incur expenses. To individual article. outputs to be linked and integrated meet these costs the Trust will The major drawback of this system with other resources. As data provide grant holders with is that subscriptions can be very mining tools become more additional funding to cover the expensive and represent an obstacle sophisticated over the next few costs of page processing charges, to the timely sharing of information years we will start to see new levied by publishers who support through the scientific community knowledge being created by the open access. and more broadly with the public at linking of research papers that In the past few weeks both the large. This situation is difficult to hitherto had not been seen as MRC3 and the BBSRC4 have made reconcile, particularly given that relevant to each other. For this to policy announcements that mandate more than 85% of research happen, however, papers must be their grantees to deposit their peer- undertaken in the UK is funded via held in an open access repository reviewed papers in an OA the public purse or by the charities. and not remain hidden behind repository. Similar initiatives are Our experience of the human publishers’ authentication systems. taking place at the NIH in the US5, genome project has shown that To increase open access to research as well as in Germany6 and France7. there is a huge benefit in having findings the Wellcome Trust has And, the recently published EC research findings openly available in modified its grant conditions, such commissioned report also makes the public domain. The genome that from October 2006 research firm recommendations for future data is freely available to researchers papers partly or wholly funded by action, including improving access around the globe and is already the Wellcome Trust must be made to publicly-funded research8. being exploited to answer important freely accessible via the open access In light of these developments it questions about health and disease. repository PubMed Central (PMC) really does seem that open access is In a recent exercise that looked at (or UK PubMed Central once the future for scientific publishing. articles in which the Wellcome Trust established – see below) as soon as Making research outputs freely was attributed as a funder, we possible, and in any event no later accessible will also help funding found that, at the time of that six months after publication1. bodies to evaluate the research they publication, only 6% of these To help realise the Trust’s vision of have funded. Once all Wellcome- articles were freely available as full an open access world, we are funded research is available in PMC text on the Internet. Researchers working in partnership with a (or UKPMC) it will be possible to with access to well-funded libraries group of major UK biomedical examine the effectiveness of our fare a little better, but access is still research funding bodies including funding strategy and re-align it as a problem with 10-20% of the the Medical Research Council, the appropriate. Finally, by mandating articles in this exercise published in Department of Health, Cancer our grantees to make all research journals that these libraries did not Research UK and the British Heart outputs accessible through have access to due to lack of Foundation to establish a UK PMC/UKPMC, we are helping to subscriptions. version of PubMed Central ensure that the digital record of Another study of research funded (UKPMC)2. A tender process has biomedical research can be by the NHS showed that although been launched to identify a supplier preserved. most of the published results are to host, manage and develop this. 1. See: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/openaccess available in full text on the web via Based on the US National Library of 2. A full list of the funding organisations working to establish UKPMC can be found at: subscription services, only 30% of Medicine's PubMed Central, the aim http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/assets/wtx028464.pdf this material could be readily of this initiative is to create a stable, 3. MRC Open Access policy: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/open_access accessed by the general public and permanent and free-to-access online 4. BBSRC Open Access policy: more worryingly only 40% could be digital archive of the full-text, peer- http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/articles/28_june_research _access.html accessed by NHS staff themselves. reviewed research publications (and 5. Details of the NIH Appropriations Bill – which will datasets) that arise from the mandate Open Access for NIH researchers can be Open access – making research found: outputs accessible to as many research. UKPMC will be fully http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/2006_06_11_fosbl searchable and provide context- ogarchive.html people as possible, for free, via the 6. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Open Access policy Internet, offers an important sensitive links to other online DFG http://www.dfg.de/lis/openaccess/ 7. See: advance in the research process and resources, such as gene and http://openaccess.eprints.org/index.php?/archives/102- will help scientists throughout the chemical compound databases. Position-of-CNRS-France-on-Open-Access.html 8. See: http://ec.europa.eu/research/science- world make the discoveries we need Although the open access model society/pdf/scientific-publication-study_en.pdf

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 25 IS OPEN ACCESS THE FUTURE FOR SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING? Is Open Access the Future for Scientific Publishing?

Robert Campbell President, Blackwell Publishing

once attended a lecture by a distortion of the editorial process. result.” The statement added that French professor who started by I refer back to Lost Illusions. If the peer review journals could be forced Istating that the future predicts the author pays then the publishing to close, “The worst case scenario is past. The established publishing system is likely to evolve to suit the the introduction of new journals, models largely stem from author rather than the reader. archives and institutional repositories developments in printing and paper Standards could fall. that cannot be sustainable in the long technology two hundred years ago, Barrier to Authors run.” followed by copyright. An insight Adopting the author-pays business When the House of Commons Select into this period of change is given in model may achieve open access for Committee on Science & Technology the French novel, Lost Illusions, by readers but it creates a barrier to conducted a study of scientific Balzac. The backdrop to Lucien’s rise authorship. The Wellcome Trust publishing in 2004 it interviewed the and fall as an author in Paris is the might be able to divert research Nobel prize winner Harold Varmus as emergence of magazines and funds to cover author-pays charges one of the parents of the open access newspapers enabled by the dramatic but most institutions are showing no movement and founder of PLoS (the reduction in unit cost. appetite for a new charge and the Public Library of Science) which There was, unlike now, no administrative burden that would go produces author-pays journals. PLoS established business model. with it. Again we could see a should be financially viable by now Important sources of revenue were distortion of the system with only the according to his evidence and so it bribes from publishers and theatre larger institutions in the Northern should be with at least $13M of managers to ensure good reviews of Hemisphere being able to publish in donations. A recent report in Nature, books and plays, or bad reviews of the most selective prestigious titles; however, suggests PLoS is still some way short of financial viability and rival works. The business model rejecting the majority of the papers last month PLoS raised its basic eventually settled down to a cover submitted is an expensive business. charge to authors from $1500 to price paid by readers and clearly A complete switch to author pays $2500. This may still not be enough demarked advertising thus enabling would result in a net cost for the and one of the PLoS managers reasonably independent editorial more productive universities and admitted that they may always policy. countries and a reduced cost to the depend on some philanthropy. We This brings me to the three major less productive, and no cost to, for could never get away with such price concerns over the author-pays or example, the pharmaceutical industry rises. The PLoS team is top class and pay-to-publish open access model: (the so-called free rider problem). producing fine publications but they the potential reduction in standards; Sustainability are also proving what any publisher barrier to authorship which could Is the author-pays model sustainable? (as opposed to distinguished favour the better funded; and A survey commissioned by ALPSP scientist) could have told them: with sustainability. (the Association of Learned and quality comes cost. Lower Standards Professional Society Publishers) The Future for Author-pays Some critics of the current publishing indicated that most open access journals are making a loss while most Open Access system don’t seem even to To sum up this first part: author-pays subscription based journals are acknowledge that there is a cost open access will be part of the future financially viable. involved and believe in the internet of scientific publishing as long as environment everything can be free. I quote from the Royal Society’s some well-funded organisations are Mark Walport is clear on this. position statement issued last prepared to pay for it. Publishers Publishers do a job and there is a December: such as Blackwell, Springer and OUP cost. The Wellcome Trust is prepared “Funders may be forcing scientific offer this option with conventional to pay for this. researchers to change the way they journals. The limited take up, The problem with charging authors publish papers so quickly that however, suggests that it will only be or their employers is the potential disastrous consequences could a small part and sustained by riding

26 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 on the back of the more robust and scholarly communication. This would smaller journals and many of these proven subscription based model. include looking at the impact of come from societies. This was the posting articles on journal very reason that the NIH (National Are Other Means of publishing. The concern, of course, is Institutes for Health) gave for Achieving Open Access that if articles are available over the keeping to mandated posting within Sustainable? net soon after publication from an 12 months. The MRC does not seem There are many other important institutional repository then there to appreciate the vital role societies aspects of open access which will will be no need for a library to play in the dissemination and make our debate more complex. subscribe. development of information, indeed There is already a great deal of Last month, however, the MRC knowledge. material made available by (Medical Research Council) The attack on the publishing system subscription based publishers free of announced its own policy which at this time is ill-judged. It has charge. So called delayed open access included mandated posting of articles evolved radically in the last decade is one element: many STM (science, within six months of publication. and has the capacity to deliver on the technology, medicine) articles can be Some of the other councils are taking enormous challenge ahead. Currently accessed 12 months, some 6 months, a more measured approach and they we publish about 1.5M peer-reviewed after publication. Organisations such should get the benefit of an extremely articles per annum and say 2.5M in as HINARI, AGORA and INASP make well organised programme of total including proceedings of available material at little or no research into scholarly meetings etc. Increased investment in charge in developing countries. communication being conducted by R&D has become fashionable world- And in any case the “journal crisis” RIN (Research Information Network). wide and there is a direct relationship that seemed to drive the House of In marked contrast to the recently between the number of researchers Commons Select Committee’s study published study of the European and articles produced. In the last two does not stand up to scrutiny. The scientific publications market months for example significant Committee had no sense of history commissioned by the EU and the two increases in R&D funding have been and were too ready to be influenced flawed reports from the Wellcome announced from Australia and by librarians who have always Trust all the evidence is being Singapore. India and China are well complained about the cost of assessed rigorously with the help of known stories. In the EU we have all publications. Access to titles in an advisory group drawn from all signed up to taking the R&D spend British universities has approximately spheres of interest; each step is in up to 3% of GDP. If we all achieved doubled over the last five years at a effect being peer reviewed. I cannot this it would result in 700,000 more cost increase of around 50%. Surveys see why the MRC could not wait researchers which equates to say an have shown that this improvement in until RIN’s programme is completed. extra 600,000 articles per annum. access has been appreciated by We do already have the results of a Linked to the public access to articles researchers if not by the Select study commissioned by ALPSP which lobby there is also the demand for Committee. indicates some potential risk of open access to the original research Yet there is a demand now for public cancellations resulting from data. Publishers are working on ways access, that is that the tax payer who widespread posting. An initial of linking journals not just to each has ultimately funded research analysis of the results from an other (already achieved through its should have free access to the international survey of the impact of own co-operative venture CrossRef) published results. This is of course a posting on journals carried out by but to databases. Our efforts to politically attractive idea and Scholarly Information Strategies on develop new functionality and publishers are less well organised behalf of the Publishing Research handle, say, 2.5M peer-reviewed lobbyists than, say, farmers. I keep 12 Consortium (PRC) also suggests such articles per annum in ten years’ time bullocks on our meadow and receive a risk. Librarians are likely to should not be undermined by two grants for this but I am not continue to acquire high quality politically motivated publisher expected to hand out free steaks. content but with lower status bashing. Villagers are free to roam the meadow journals the version posted on an Ill-thought-out public policy could which they do without damaging my institutional repository might be seriously disrupt the development of limited efforts in animal husbandry. deemed good enough. Respondents journal publishing where British This seems a reasonable compromise. saw little difference between having a companies and indeed societies have A reasonable compromise seems less publication available upon dominated the international market. likely in scholarly communication. publication or waiting six months. If our aim is to be a successful The RCUK (Research Councils UK) Librarians are prepared to knowledge based economy the lack has picked up on the public access compromise between the “Final of support from some quarters is issue and added “dissemination” to Published Article” and the “Author’s unhelpful. Achieving universal its mission statement. Until recently copy of the copy-edited accepted access, which includes many of the is has assured publishers, including article” but there is little interest in elements of open access, to a much the many societies that publish, that the “un-refereed manuscript”. greater amount and range of although it would like to see RCUK- Librarians do value the publishing information is our future. Britain funded researchers post their articles process, even beyond the function of leads in this at present and can go for free access over the net as soon as refereeing, but welcomed the further if we work together. possible after publication the challenge that open access poses to Open access riding on the copyright and licensing arrangements publishers. subscription-based model by forcing of each journal should be honoured; The PRC will be publishing the full researchers to post articles and thus further policy development would be report next month. There is some undermine the system is not shaped by independent scientific indication at this stage, however, that sustainable and cannot therefore be study of the whole process of posting at six months could damage the future.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 27 IS OPEN ACCESS THE FUTURE FOR SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING? Towards evidence-based open access publishing

Professor David Nicholas and Dr Ian Rowlands CIBER, University College London

There is a story of a famous funders and government need to architect who, having designed and make some sense (and take built a new university campus, advantage) of the turbulence around walked off the site without finishing them. Our work has mainly run the landscaping. The grounds along two parallel tracks: became wild with weeds and long understanding the views of authors, grass. A year passed, and the an obviously critical stakeholder architect returned, to find a group by means of large-scale particularly difficult and challenging opinion profiling, and by analysing part of his work had been done for the behaviour of an even more him. Paths were clearly evident as critical group, readers, by analysing the result of thousands of student the transactional web log trails that and faculty feet making their way they leave behind them each time from one lecture hall to another, they navigate a digital library, be from lecture theatre to bookshop, that a publisher’s web site or an and so on. The architect had open access journal. effectively invented “evidence-based The views and attitudes of authors landscape gardening”, and was able towards open access publishing are to lay down his flagstones in the full largely unformed: despite the confidence that these were indeed intensity with which these issues are the preferred routes for academic debated at library conferences and recycling our plastic bottles! users. in select committee, there is The point, of course, is that the widespread ignorance on the part of In the fevered atmosphere of the publishing system is offering many researchers. This is slowly open access revolution, we authors and readers a fundamentally sometimes seem to be in danger of changing and will continue to as news of major changes to their different proposition. The key losing the essence of that simple outcomes for journal authors are story as attitudes harden on both publishing practices filters through. Journal authors are a funny breed, not necessarily the widest possible sides of an increasingly and readership, but a set of rather surprisingly bitter argument. What though. Our surveys reveal that while they very largely agree with narrower and more immediate we need is an evidence base to help the proposition that high journal concerns: making sure they get their us chart our way through what may prices are a barrier to access, few ideas date stamped, recognised and well become very choppy waters as translate this into action by actively lodged for posterity in the highest pride, cherished business models, considering the issue of affordability impact titles. Of course, with their and possibly even some publishing to readers when they decide where reader hats on, authors are much companies get thrown out with the to submit their manuscripts. They more focused on the dissemination bath water. feel that far too much academic functions of journals. CIBER, now a part of the new material is being published – by Perhaps the key message to emerge Centre for Publishing at UCL, was others, of course, since they do not from our work with authors is the established right at the beginning of feel they are personally publishing fact that it is impossible to draw the open access movement as a enough. These are classic consumer valid generalisations about which non-partisan think tank charged traits, we all feel a moral obligation policy measures will be most with the mission of creating the to act in an environmentally effective in delivering open access. kinds of robust evidence that responsible fashion as householders, In fact, we would go so far as to say librarians, publishers, research yet often we don’t get around to that pushing too hard too soon with

28 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 open access policies is likely to be Perhaps the most exciting line of selective, anecdotal and simply highly disruptive in some, but not current CIBER research is the real hardens the concrete bunkers in all areas. The factors that seem to time experimentation we are which ideologues on both sides pre-dispose authors to a positive conducting on behalf of Oxford reside. Not to use the huge evidence attitude towards open access (and University Press. Trying to get base we have accrued to help pilot the reform of the traditional answers to such deceptively simple our policies and decision making journals system that this represents) questions as Does open access in makes no sense at all. are subject discipline, age, fact deliver more readers? Are open Publishers have made enormous availability of funding and access articles more likely to be contributions to making the geographical region, in that order. cited than those hidden behind scientific literature accessible and There is considerable enthusiasm subscription barriers? is very easier to use through their for open access publishing in difficult. There are so many investments in digital libraries, physics and the computer sciences, uncontrolled variables that we end linking services and rolling out new much less so in the social sciences up comparing apples and oranges. business models such as the Big or in the arts and humanities. Age is What we really need is a detailed Deal, un-embargoing content which a critical factor, with younger case study of a journal that has becomes open access after as little authors appearing to be much made the transition to fully open as six months and opening their hungrier for change. Geographically, access and this is precisely what we sites to search engines and so the main drivers for open access have in the case of Nucleic Acids encouraging in the seem to be coming from Asia Research, a flagship journal of “disenfranchised” user. Their (especially) and from Africa and the Oxford University Press. By any services are hugely popular and former Eastern bloc. standards, NAR is a success story have to be recognised for the While listening to the views of for British publishing. Even before going fully open access, it was success that they are, and there is a authors is of course crucial, it is danger this is being lost in the heat surprising that so little research has attracting vast numbers of hits (from 1.5 million different IP of the argument. The problem is been carried out on the readers of their very success, and the open access (or indeed traditional) addresses over the period January consumer expectations of the journals. In fact, there is remarkably 2003 to June 2005). The decision to internet fuelled by Google, Amazon little documented evidence of move to a full and immediate open and the rest mean that they cannot market pull for open access, either access, funded by research rest easy. from authors or other types of sponsors, has resulted in further reader, and there is a danger that increases in usage, fuelled mainly by policy may somehow become opening up the content to Google so that existing subscribers had References detached from reality at some point. CIBER (2004) another route in. Open access per se One of the key tenets of open access Ian Rowlands, David Nicholas and Paul is surely the potential it has for probably accounts for only an Huntington, Scholarly Communication in reaching great swathes of readers additional 7-8% of traffic, much of the Digital Environment: What Do outside the subscription walls of that coming from the former Authors Want? CIBER on behalf of the organisations such as UCL or the Eastern bloc. These are very early Publishers Association, City University London, 18 March 2004. House of Commons. This is surely days, and who knows what open access will really deliver over the Available online at: the nub of the success or failure of www.ucl.ac.uk/ciber/ciber-pa-report.pdf opening up access to the riches of longer haul. In the mean time, CIBER (2005) the scientific literature for people in publishers brave enough and honest enough to try these experiments Ian Rowlands and David Nicholas, New small businesses, GPs, university Journal Publishing Models: An alumni, the uninformed patient. will be able to see for themselves International Survey of Senior what actually happens and be able This lack of research is all the more Researchers, CIBER on behalf of the to take a commercial view as to Publishers Association and the surprising given that the data on whether author-side payments are International Association of STM online readership already exist in Publishers, 22 September 2005. the form of the transactional web the best or only mechanism (among many) of meeting consumer Available online at: logs that provide the digital www.ucl.ac.uk/ciber/pa_stm_final_report. fingerprints of millions of users. demands for immediate information pdf gratification. CIBER has developed unique CIBER (2006) insights into these fingerprints using In conclusion, continuing David Nicholas, Paul Huntington and a technique called deep log analysis. independent research is vital in this Hamid R Jamali, Determining the Impact Unlike surveys, there is no hiding area. Claims and counterclaims of Open Access Publishing on Use and from both sides of the debate need Users: A Deep Log Analysis of Nucleic place for self-delusion in deep logs, Acids Research, CIBER on behalf of they simply report what happens to be evaluated and put into their Oxford University Press, June 2006. when millions of users are let loose wider context. Much of what passes Available online at: in cyberspace. for evidence is in fact highly www.oxfordjournals.org/news/oa_report.pdf

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 29 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY PARLIAMENTARY LINKS DAY – TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2006 Science and Globalisation

he Attlee Suite was standing room only for the annual TParliamentary Links Day on 27 June organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry on behalf of the whole scientific and engineering community and co-sponsored on a bipartisan basis by Dr Brian Iddon MP and Mark Lancaster TD MP with the support of the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. The highlight of the day was the first public speech given by the new Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, who addressed the contribution that science and innovative and international, but audience of Members of Parliament, engineering can make to caring for the exploitation of inventions in scientists and engineers, on the the environment. physics is a non-linear process. The subject of the Globalisation of IoP supports sustainable Science. She said Links Day is the The President of the RSC, Dr development and science education most important science-related Simon Campbell, indicated that with a mobile Lab-in-a-Lorry that event in Parliament, and the UK's the RSC is the most effective brings science to young people, and position and influence abroad is international organisation for the training in entrepreneurship and linked with our science skills. Six of Chemical Sciences, with 43,000 economic development, and a the top ten European universities members (8,000 overseas). The centre for maths in South Africa. are in the UK and they produce global chemical industry is driven The UK supports many European 12% of all scientific paper citations. by market opportunities and facilities including CERN and the China and India are becoming the legislation concerning R&D and Large Hadron Collider which is due new science super powers as China innovation. Quality, efficiency and to start work in 2007, and may help produces more science graduates R&D are more important than low discover the elusive Higgs boson. than the whole of Europe. The wages when selecting locations for Foreign and Commonwealth Office manufacturing. For example, Pfizer The Chief Executive of the Institute Network helps to attract R&D started in Germany, moved to the of Biology, Professor Alan investment and to bring in know- US and is now established in Kent. Malcolm, presented a case history how. This increases the profile of R&D follows the market, but under about GM crops. There were no GM UK science. The Partners in Science present UK legislation, industry is crops ten years ago. There are now scheme organised 130 events in reluctant to pay for innovation. The 1 million sq km of GM crops, about China in 2005 with significant bi- REACH proposals will create 4 times the area of the UK. There lateral links in subjects ranging barriers to trade and leadership in are none in Europe, apart from from climate modelling to the chemical industry will move out about 60,000 sq km of animal astronomy. The FCO appointed of Europe. Singapore, where R&D is maize in Spain. Throughout the John Ashley to work in partnership 3% of GDP, has now become a world GM comprises 50% of all with countries where energy major manufacturing centre despite soya, which is herbicide tolerant, demand from coal fired power being a high wage economy. 25% of maize and 10% of cotton, stations is increasing, with a budget Dr Robert Kirby-Harris, Chief both insect resistant. GM crops of £3.5 million for this work. The Executive of the Institute of Physics, reduce labour costs, water FCO is working with the Hadley which has 35,000 members (9,000 consumption, exposure to toxic Centre on climate modelling and overseas), indicated that the UK is a chemicals and increase yields. GM renewable energy sources. Young world class player and the industry cotton is popular in China and people are enthusiastic about the employs 1.8 million people in the India. In the UK 75% of processed environment and this is an UK. Physics underpins almost all food contains soya bean. The opportunity to demonstrate the technology; it is interdisciplinary, Chinese economy is expanding

30 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 enormously and the people have between academics and the audience that Benjamin Franklin more money to spend. Meat engineering industry and contribute was an early member of the Royal consumption has doubled in China to every part of the UK economy by Society. He discussed the possibility recently, along with the need to raising our performance. The of a virtual science library which import Brazilian soya beans. GM markets are global and the economy would include developments to technology will preserve the and engineering future depend on encourage economic growth such as environment by helping to reduce maintaining a competitive edge and international meteorological the need to cut down more of the the capacity to manage international measurements and global earth Amazon forest to grow soya. R&D. The R&D base must be observations. encouraged and strengthened as The Foreign Secretary of the Royal The Chairman of the House of Society, Professor Dame Julia global companies such as IBM can undertake their research in any Commons Select Committee on Higgins, described how the Royal Science and Technology, Mr Phil Society co-operates with the country. The national R&D base also needs to understand the Willis MP, emphasised that the Government and NGOs, and works future of mankind depends on closely with the OST, FCO and requirements of the users including the need for multi-disciplinary science to solve problems such as engages with other academics on contributions working in effective energy, global warming and disease matters of policy, with expenditure and open partnerships. and research should be shared with of £7 million on international work. The First Secretary for Science and the global community. The This includes stimulation of Government’s priority is to reduce international scientific Technology, Embassy of the People's carbon emissions as a response to collaboration, promoting Republic of China, Mr Zhiyong Jin, climate change. It is working with international lectures, providing presented a summary of China's China to build a carbon capture science commentators and industrial activity and output. The power station in China. The ITER supporting public engagements. The GDP last year was $2,279 bn, up by fusion power project is an example Royal Society has initiated a pairing 9.9% from the previous year. Oil of international co-operation. scheme with MEPs in the European production and energy Parliament and intends to expand consumption and generation have The Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir the scheme to MEPs of other all increased, the latter boosted by David King, said that science, nations. Helping the developing the Three Gorges hydro-electric technology and innovation impacts world is another major overseas project. The Tibet railway, which is on government. He emphasised the activity of the Royal Society, by 1,142 km long and rises to an role of advances in the medical strengthening the role of African elevation of 4,000m, has been science on the world population, academics in Ghana and by helping completed. China's investment in which doubled from 1bn in 1800 to them to provide advice to their R&D for science and technology was 2bn by 1930, doubling again to 4bn governments. The RS has funded, $29.59bn in 2005, which is 1.3% of in 1975. The population is over 6bn and is looking forward to GDP and the number of graduates and is expected to reach 9bn by developing a partnership with a will increase from more than 3 2050. The Chinese economy is party of African scientists who are million in 2005 to more than 4 increasing. It will equal the visiting in October 2006. A prize to million in 2006. China is combined economies of the EU and encourage young African scientists establishing diplomatic ties and the USA by 2045. The UK’s R&D has been given by Pfizer. connections with many overseas target is 2.5% of GDP by 2014 with countries to carry out co-operative The Vice President and a further 1.9% of private R&D. The projects. International Secretary of the Royal service sector is growing faster than Academy of Engineering, Professor The Science & Technology the manufacturing sector, which Peter Saraga, stated that members Counsellor, United States Embassy, accounts for half of our exports. of the RAEng are equally divided Mr Jason Hahn, reminded the High value-added products and services are needed. The Global Science and Innovation Forum (GSIF) has an overarching approach to flooding and coastal defence. Many overseas scientists are involved in the detection and identification of infectious diseases and tackling obesity. Science writers are required to communicate this information to the public. Report by Robert Freer (Royal Institution of Great Britain)

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 31 BOOK REVIEW The Ageing Countryside Lydia Speakman and Professor Philip Lowe Published by Age Concern ISBN: 0862424143

he late and great JK Galbraith first warned us not failure – too many house purchasers forcing prices about accepting “the conventional wisdom” in beyond the reach of potential first time buyers, too This book “The Affluent Society”. I have been on few workers to carry out the hard physical work in my guard ever since and never more than with two of farming. Indeed, were it not for the extraordinary the current conventional assumptions. The first is that inflow of workers from Eastern Europe most of the an ageing society is a bad thing, and the second is that daffodils in Cornwall, fruit in Evesham and Kent, and rural England is in deep crisis. Some environmental vegetables in Lincolnshire would not be harvested. academics have brought the two together with a The IT revolution has enabled rural business to collection of essays entitled “The Ageing Countryside” engage in markets which in the past would have been edited by Professor Philip Lowe and Lydia Speakman. inaccessible. They have produced an impressive analysis of the The ageing population, in town and country, is by no changing demographics of rural Britain. means an economic burden. Most old people replace a Britain, like all large Western European countries, is big house with a smaller one when moving from high getting older as people are living longer and produce cost London to low cost Devon and Cornwall, and fewer babies. There are two main contributory factors with additional benefits of pensions and savings, are – the remarkable progress of medical technology and relatively affluent. As consumers they stimulate local younger women’s preference for work over breeding. economies. More and more grandparents become In rural England these trends are even more productive child carers, to enable their children to pronounced by the substantial migration of older return to work. Huge numbers of old people, like urban dwellers to the countryside and a growing myself in my seventieth year, are still at work, albeit exodus of younger people from the countryside to the part time. In rural England, the old people have a towns. much stronger commitment to communities, an The conventional wisdom is that an ageing society essential element in a vibrant countryside. Old people becomes less productive and therefore less prosperous. have exploited the IT revolution with alacrity. The cost of maintaining these prolific pensioners is, Of course as the book points out, there are too many the argument goes, a huge burden on those in work. vulnerable young and old people in the countryside. Furthermore, we are led to believe, rural society is Whilst 86% of people have access to a car, those who already in a crisis, and all these extra old people will do not, mainly young and old, can feel remote at a lead to catastrophe. time when the majority enjoy unprecedented access to One difficulty, when analysing rural issues is in the “delights” of modern urban life, supermarkets, defining what we mean by rural. In England any leisure and high quality hospital care. More houses conurbation of 10,000 or less is seen to be rural. The need to be built in rural towns and villages which are author uses this definition and concludes that there is affordable to young people. But the rural population a rural population of 18m, or 36% of the population, resists such proposals because they may undermine which surely overstates the figure. In Scotland the the quality of rural life. figure is a more realistic 4,000. In France there are A curious feature of English rural society is that, two categories – “urban/rural” which embraces anyone although it is politically conservative, it paradoxically living within about 100 kilometres of a major urban adopts a culture of dependence on the state, (just as, conurbation, and “rural/rural” for those living outside despite its anti-European stance it fiercely protects the this radius. The French would argue that the serious benefits it receives from the CAP). But demands for rural problems lie in the remote areas, rather than in more government rural initiative should generally be the Sussex and Hertfordshire countryside. resisted, except where, as in the case of affordable The rural lobby brilliantly exploited the short-term housing, planning reforms could tackle a problem crisis created by the Foot and Mouth outbreak in common to both town and country. 2001, to suggest that the countryside was in a Rural England stands to benefit from the increase in meltdown and in urgent need of regeneration. But the prosperous elderly immigrants, as long as the rising evidence in this book suggests otherwise. Using the inward flow of younger people from Eastern Europe English definition the rural population is growing for ensures that the rural economy continues to thrive. the first time since the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1845, as inward migration exceeds outward. Rural England is healthier and more educated than it ever Lord Haskins was, and in addition more prosperous than the towns. To order a copy of The Ageing Countryside for £14.99 plus There is rural poverty but it is much less severe than postage, please call 0870 44 22 120, or online at urban deprivation. The problems are ones of success www.ageconcern.org.uk/bookshop

32 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 UK-Singapore: Partners In Science – Partners Of Choice

Brian Ferrar, First Secretary, Science and Technology, British High Commission, Singapore

itting in the British High recently established a new National Commission’s S&T Office at the Research Foundation with £1.8 SBiopolis, Singapore’s state of the billion of funding for longer-term art biomedical sciences facility, it is strategic research. difficult to imagine this was a To succeed, Singapore knows it has greenfield site just three years ago. to form partnerships with other links and new collaborations The Trade & Industry Select countries. Whilst Singapore and the between British and Singaporean Committee visited shortly after the UK have had close historical links, researchers. Key researchers from Biopolis opened. Seven buildings Singapore has tended in recent years other countries in South East Asia now house some 2000 researchers in to look towards the US for its are invited to take part so that they government research institutes (RIs) research collaborations. The S&T can form links with UK and and private companies such as GSK team at the British High Commission Singaporean researchers. Each and Novartis. Many are already in Singapore was expanded in 2004 workshop has been followed up conducting world class research. to ensure that opportunities for the with Collaboration Development Singapore has been highly successful UK were grasped, particularly as Awards to enable researchers from in attracting top researchers from all Singapore expands its research the region to visit the UK to develop over the world including Sir David efforts into new areas of great collaborations. Around 75 awards Lane from Dundee University and importance to the UK, such as stem have so far been made leading to Yoshiaki Ito from Kyoto University. It cell research and nanotechnology. numerous collaborations. is also funding a massive scholarship In November 2004, we launched a In the latest stage of the UK- programme to nurture its own year-long UK-Singapore partners in Singapore partnership, we jointly talent. The Agency for Science science campaign to highlight the sponsored, with A*STAR, a Technology and Research – A*STAR excellence of UK science and conference in July 2006 on Scientific – which is spearheading Singapore’s promote collaboration with Capacity Building with South East drive in the biomedical sciences, is Singapore. Launched by HRH The Asian Partners. Representatives from funding 1000 students to the tune of Duke of York at the Biopolis this ten countries in the region attended. £300k each so that they can study campaign quickly proved to be a The conference identified good from BSc to PhD at top overseas great success, comprising talks by practices and drew conclusions as to universities, including selected leading UK scientists, exhibitions, how capacity building can best be British universities. competitions, workshops and joint undertaken in the future. It provided This new drive in the biomedical activities with companies such as policy-oriented inputs for decision- sciences complements Singapore’s Rolls Royce, GSK and BAE Systems. makers in South East Asia, the UK traditional research strengths in areas Such was its success that in July and multilateral fora, including the such as materials, microelectronics 2005 Prime Ministers Tony Blair and role science can play in meeting the and manufacturing technologies. Lee Hsien Loong decided to convert Millennium Development Goals. Learning from the success of the the campaign into a long-term But our work is not confined to Biopolis, Singapore is creating a new strategic initiative. They signed a promoting collaboration. We use centre – Fusionopolis – to bring statement on science, engineering science as a key diplomatic tool in together the RIs in the physical and technology in which they agreed promoting the UK-Singapore sciences so that they can be co- to encourage scientific collaborations relationship and promoting British located with companies in one and networks and help build strategic interests. A good example massive facility. The intention is to scientific capacity with South East was how we created a Sports Science enable companies to benefit from the Asian Partners. and Engineering exhibition, visited RIs' expertise and facilities. Training With funding from the FCO’s Global by the Prime Minister and David manpower is key and a constant Opportunities Fund, together with Beckham, as a key element in our flow of RI staff into companies is contributions from partners in support for London’s successful bid strongly encouraged. Singapore and the UK, we have held to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Singapore is a small but important workshops in areas such as We will continue to use science player on the world’s research stage. materials, immunology, diplomacy as a key tool in It plans to increase research funding neuroscience, bioelectronics and promoting the UK’s international to 3% of GDP by 2010 and has chemistry. These have led to close strategic priorities.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 33 School Meals Alan D B Malcolm, Chief Executive, Institute of Biology

eople in the UK have recently been aroused by a In 1988 schools achieved the right to become “grant young TV star chef, Jamie Oliver, to discover that maintained” which involved receiving a block grant Pour children are not only being offered high fat, from the LEA to provide all services including school high salt food at school, but are also ingesting the bits of meals. Thus the headteacher (responsible to the school animals that their parents would probably reject (albeit governors) now held the budget. processed into shapes that disguise what they once While the origins lay in physical fitness, it was not long were). This is scarcely surprising on a budget of around before it was acknowledged that a hungry or forty pence especially when considered with the general malnourished child was less likely to benefit from lack of facilities and skills. educational opportunities. What anybody expected for a budget of 40 pence, In 1941 it was established that such a meal should heaven knows. contain 1000 kcal (approximately one third of the daily In many schools there is no kitchen. Some have no needs of an active teenager), 20-25 grams of animal space where children can sit and eat in a civilised protein, and 30 grams of fat. Moreover it was explicitly manner. Lunch breaks of as little as 40 minutes scarcely stated that “Good food must not be spoiled by bad provide time for a balanced meal. cooking.” Needless to say, they do things much better across the While the exact prescription changed over the next six channel in France. The meal will cost several times as decades, there was always an attempt to relate the much (more than £2 per pupil), contain three separate contents to one third of the daily requirements of the courses including fruit and salad, and will have a space growing child. As nutritional knowledge developed, in the day of at least 90 minutes to allow proper insistence on occasional fish and fruit appeared. digestion. Along with the school meal, there also appeared the How did we get into this position? provision of one third of a pint of milk, either free or at Britain has a problem taking food, diet and nutrition cost. During rationing from the 1940s to the early 1950s seriously. We teach children in schools to appreciate the this was a major priority for milk producers and aesthetics of art and music, but eating is simply an processors. It was the withdrawal, in 1968, of this indulgent pleasure. Any deficiency of sight or hearing entitlement to milk which first drew the attention of the constitutes a medical condition requiring specialist electorate at large to Margaret Thatcher. treatment, and probably exemption from military service. A deficiency in the senses of taste or smell The costs of supplying the free or subsidised (the labour would not give rise to a similar level of concern. Until costs of production and delivery were never charged for) recently our scientific understanding of the physics and food moved from central government to local authorities biology of sight and hearing ran well ahead of our to schools (and hence head teachers and governors). knowledge of the genes for olfactory receptors (now While the former might be happy moving the bill from known to be densely located on chromosome 11). education to social subsidy and back again, the latter School meals were introduced neither for educational were more likely to regard their responsibilties as being purposes nor for humanitarian reasons. Their prime limited to the provision of lessons. motive was to enable Britain to wage war successfully. In 1980 came the final straw with the cancellation of Recruitment at the time of the Boer War (1899) showed nutritional standards together with the insistence that just how badly nourished were the nation’s youth – the supply of the meals should be allocated to the some 85% of potential conscripts were not fit enough to commercial enterprise who submitted the lowest tender. be recruited. The ultimate consumer, the pupil, would in practice Uptake of school meals was hugely increased during determine where the profit lay by exercising their World War II to enable the mothers to work in the fields freedom of choice about whether to eat chips, burgers and factories in place of the men who had gone to fight. and pizza or a fresh green salad with tuna or cheese. With these origins, it is not surprising that the reasons This freedom of choice was often presented as if it were for their existence today are rarely clearly enunciated, a fundamental human right, ignoring the fact that and not universally accepted. One result is that children under 16 often have rights denied to them responsibility for their provision, and hence the budget, (consumption of alcohol and tobacco, for example) has moved back and forth. when to exercise such a choice might do them physical harm. Choosing an inappropriate diet was not added to In 1906 Local Education Authorities (LEAs) were allowed but not compelled to provide free meals such a list. Vending machines in schools would rarely provided that the funds were raised locally. By 1914 allow the choice of an apple or a banana to be made. central Government reimbursed 50% of the cost, and By 1991 the increasing costs of unhealthy lifestyle in this subsidy was increased to 95% in 1941. By the end adulthood – obesity (and hence diabetes), cardiovascular of the Second World War LEAs were allowed to disease (from elevated fat and salt intake) encouraged continue meal provision even at weekends and during the government to produce “Health of the Nation”. This school holidays.However, in 1967 all the financial enunciated ten targets to be reached by 2005 including responsibility was returned to the LEAs. items such as lowering obesity, blood pressure, fat intake

34 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 etc. None of these has actually been achieved mainly The team not only contained academic nutritionists and because few steps were taken which might bring them school teachers, but also representatives from the about. In particular little was done about improving the catering trade. diet of children at school. The report contains an impressive list of 35 Schools study “citizenship” but could this not include recommendations. Some are so obvious that it is the concept of sitting down with colleagues for 40 impossible to imagine any resistance: “the nutrient minutes in the middle of the day and peacefully standards proposed in the this Report should be applied enjoying a pleasant meal? to the provision of school lunches”, “these standards It would have to be demonstrated to reduce truancy or should be applied to tuck shops and vending machines”, exclusion levels before such an activity would assist a “there should be easy access to free, fresh, chilled school in the national league tables, or in dealing with drinking water throughout the day”, “all children should the enquiries of the government’s school inspectors. be taught practical cooking skills”. Others such as: The national curriculum certainly includes diet and “schools should prioritise the refurbishment of health, but much of this is presented in a theoretical kitchens”, “schools and caterers should look to local way with little in the way of practical skills such as food farmers for their produce where possible” may be more preparation. Most schools would lack the physical challenging to achieve. The report also emphasises need facilities to allow this to happen. to bring in change gradually, but to monitor progress at When faced with the competing demands of well regular intervals. equipped science laboratories or kitchen facilities for It must be devoutly hoped that it will prove a catalyst pupils to experiment with cooking, school governors for change even if we no longer wish to make our know which parents would demand. children fit only to become cannon fodder. The report of the School Meals Commission produced A list of further reading material on the subject is rapidly in late 2005 is still being chewed over. available from the author [email protected]

The Energy Challenge The DTI's Energy Review Report 2006 Robert Freer, The Royal Institution of Great Britain

his is the third Government publication on the them to do so. Today that lack of investment in new national Energy Policy in just over four years and plant has become a major problem. for the first time there is some sign of positive This latest energy review is entitled The Energy T 1 action by the Government to recognise and solve the Challenge and again appears to be more of a wish list main problem, which is to ensure the security and than to define a positive plan of campaign. reliability of the national electricity supply for industry, The Foreword written by the Prime Minister does commerce and domestic use. In other words, to keep however contain some realistic observations which mark the lights on. positive steps in the right direction. It does recognises The first of the three policy statements was published in the importance of a secure supply of energy and says February 2002 by the Policy and Innovation Unit in the that "without it we could not function as an economy or Cabinet Office. This was a comparatively workmanlike modern society". It puts energy security as the first of document which contained some illuminating the "immense challenges" we face as a country and it statements such as "the history of energy reviews is also recognises that the complete solution will depend littered with failed attempts to forecast the use of fuels", partly on building "new nuclear power stations to and the authors admitted that this review "is unlikely to replace those becoming obsolete". Serious energy be an exception". engineers and analysts have been saying this for years. The PIU report was followed in 2003 by the Energy Had their advice been taken at the time we would now White Paper which set out four objectives which the have the people and the infrastructure in place to do Government sought to achieve. These objectives were to this work. But today the reality is that we will have to cut CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050, to maintain buy much of the nuclear expertise and equipment from reliability of energy supplies, to promote competitive abroad, in an industry which we pioneered and were markets in the UK and beyond, and to ensure adequate once among the world leaders. and affordable home heating. But however In the preface by the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP he commendable these goals might be individually, in highlights the need to get the right incentives to practice they were likely to be mutually incompatible. encourage investment in low carbon options, and he For instance cheap electricity was not necessarily a also recognises the particular problem of getting sensible long term policy. By driving down the price of planning consent, a problem which in the past has electricity for the consumer there was less income for dogged and delayed the building of new transmission the generators to invest in new plant which would lines and new power stations such as Sizewell B. He ensure continued security of supply from our ageing concludes "it is time to overhaul the present planning power stations, and there was no other incentive for system".

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 35 The Energy Challenge starts by committing the our position on new nuclear build" and to address Government to the European Emissions Trading Scheme potential barriers to new nuclear build. (ETS) which it believes to be the incentive for energy The Government also believes coal has a role to play in efficiency and for investment in low carbon the energy mix, having realised that last winter more technologies. The Government wishes to "ensure (it) than half our electricity was generated from coal. But develops into a credible long-term international framework". our coal fired stations also suffer from a lack of long term investment. A more realistic ambition is the challenge to use less energy. This is where we can all contribute. One The failure of the Government's present energy policy encouraging statement is the objective to reduce the has been criticised in the House of Lords "the electricity energy used in Government buildings, "we aim to make supply industry, since privatisation, has been without the central Government estate of buildings carbon leadership reacting only to external stimuli which neutral by 2012". For buildings alongside a river this masquerade as the discipline of a free market". Those could probably be done by using a heat pump, but if looking for leadership from the Energy Challenge may the Government is relying on solar panels and a still be disappointed. The Government should be taking windmill on the roof they may find this objective giant strides towards their objective; the Energy difficult to achieve. Challenge is just a small shuffle. The signals for new nuclear build are at amber if not yet 1 The Energy Challenge. Energy Review Report 2006 at green. The Government promises "a clear statement of (DTI Cm 6887 July 2006)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR for their medicines in 2004. In the UK alone, savings amounted to €237 million, which represents 10% of Sir, parallel import sales. It was with great interest that I read the articles by John The existence of savings is not only proven empirically but Ferguson from the ABPI and Richard Freudenberg from the also makes intuitive sense. If they weren't cheaper, why BAEPD in the two previous issues of Science in Parliament. would the practice exist? Mr Ferguson said he believes parallel trade of medicines in In addition to the direct savings, parallel distribution also Europe poses a risk to the safety of the pharmaceutical exerts dynamic competitive pressure on the price of supply-chain while benefiting no-one. medicines. With pharmaceutical expenditure still Two events this summer again underline why emotional increasing and with pressure on government budgets statements such as these need to be scrutinised closely – throughout Europe parallel distribution provides concrete and ultimately rejected. savings. First, two incidences of counterfeit Lipitor were detected in Under the UK’s PPRS, manufacturers have the opportunity the UK in July and August. Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor, to modulate prices every 5 years. Not surprisingly it is immediately pointed fingers at parallel trade, saying the often the products exposed to competition from parallel practice was to blame. Only a few days later, Nimo Ahmed, imports that undergo the most significant price reductions. head of intelligence at the MHRA, ascertained that the While such a response by manufacturers to competitive counterfeit was completely unrelated to parallel trade but pressures from parallel trade ultimately erodes the price was in fact detected in the normal Pfizer supply chain. margins and thus the incentives for parallel import, the UK This is just the latest example in what appears to be a Government and patients have the lasting benefit of lower pattern of repeated, unfounded accusations against parallel prices for branded medicines. trade – nothing short of a smear campaign which scares Mr Ferguson’s statement that parallel distributors “take patients for no reason. value out of the system whilst giving nothing back” is As Mr Freudenberg pointed out, there has never been a simply not true. case of counterfeit medicines in the UK supply chain Pharmaceutical manufacturers are likely to continue resulting from parallel trade. Parallel distribution has an pointing fingers at parallel distributors to try to hurt their impressive safety record, not only in the UK but only competition. throughout Europe. But our industry will continue to defend itself. The facts But we are far from being complacent about the risk of are on our side. counterfeit medicines. The members of the European Dr Heinz Kobelt, Association of Euro-Pharmaceutical Companies (EAEPC) – Secretary-General of the European Association of Euro- individually and collectively – have taken a series of Pharmaceutical Companies (EAEPC) www.eaepc.org initiatives to make sure parallel trade remains as safe as it has been until now The second event this summer concerns the question of Sir, the economic impact of parallel trade. Those of us who are London householders and pay the In June, the University of Southern Denmark published a Mayor's ever increasing part of the Council Tax will be new study on parallel trade. It reconfirms that parallel concerned at some of the proposals put forward by Allan trade generates substantial savings for European patients Jones in the Summer 2006 issue of Science in Parliament. and health insurers, particularly in the UK. While we all support the Mayor in his efforts to improve For the study’s author, Kjeld Møller Pedersen, the existence London's energy supply the proposal to build an offshore of savings from parallel trade is a fact. The interesting wind plant of a nominal 1000MW in the Thames Estuary question is how high these savings are. (referred to in Fig 7) is one of the most expensive and least According to the new study, by choosing a parallel cost effective methods. imported medicine over the (identical) domestically According to figures published by OFGEM the average load marketed product, consumers in the United Kingdom, factor for all the existing windmills throughout the country Germany, Sweden and Denmark paid €441.5 million less is 23%. London and the Thames Estuary are just about the

36 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 least windy parts of the country and therefore the load both to build and maintain. factor of a wind plant in this area will be less than average. The proposal to use wind energy to make hydrogen for This means that for 80% of the time it will need 1000MW vehicles and ships (Fig 8) needs more careful backup by conventional fossil fuel generating plant to consideration. Making hydrogen by the electrolysis of water produce its rated output. This defeats the object of trying is energy intensive and the Energy Review published by the to rely on intermittent renewable energy. Policy and Innovation Unit of the Cabinet Office in 2002 The output from windmills is very variable and is sensitive estimated that the energy required to make enough to the wind speed. Large wind turbines produce their rated hydrogen just for our road transport would be nearly output typically between wind speeds of force 7 to force 9, 400Twh per year. Since the total output of all the windmills ie near gale to strong gale, and very little at lower or higher in the country is only about 2Twh per year wind energy is speeds. Gales don't occur very often in the Thames Estuary. unlikely to make much impact. Windmills produce very little energy, no reliable power and If the Mayor is looking for new sources of local heat and are a potential electrical disturbance when connected to the power the best bet is the thermal recycling of London's National Grid, as has been experienced in Denmark, municipal waste. The old Battersea power station would be Germany and Japan. Windmills are not economic and no- a good site for London's Energy from Waste plant with one would build them without the Government's generous district heating to the flats in Pimlico. subsidy, which has been estimated to be some £30 billion Robert Freer by 2020. Offshore windmills are particularly expensive Royal Institution of Great Britain

House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee

The members of the Committee (appointed 6 June 2005) are Lord Broers (Chairman), Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Lord Howie of Troon, Lord Mitchell, Lord Patel, Lord Paul, Baroness Perry of Southwark, Baroness Platt of Writtle, the Earl of Selborne, Baroness Sharp of Guildford, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, Lord Taverne, Lord Winston and Lord Young of Graffham. Water Management new inquiry, which will be chaired by Lord Broers, The Committee’s report was published in June, and was published at the end of July with the inquiry the Government response was received in August, proper due to commence in the autumn. The Sub- followed in early September by a separate response Committee’s report is expected to be published next from the industry regulator, Ofwat. The report is to be summer. The inquiry will be launched in November. debated in the House on Friday 14 October. The Committee has invited evidence on security issues affecting private individuals when using Science and Heritage communicating computer-based devices, either Sub-Committee II has completed its inquiry into connecting directly to the Internet, or employing Science and Heritage. The Committee is currently other forms of inter-connectivity. considering its draft report and recommendations, which will be published in November. Following the New inquiry: Allergy report’s publication the Committee is planning to hold The Select Committee has also appointed a Sub- a seminar to offer those who gave evidence an Committee, to be chaired by Baroness Finlay of opportunity to discuss the Committee’s Llandaff, to investigate allergy and allergic diseases. recommendations and provide feedback. The inquiry will address all types of allergy and cover a full range of policy issues but will not focus Science Teaching in Schools primarily on allergy service provision, which was the The Select Committee has completed its short inquiry subject of recent reports by the House of Commons on Science Teaching in Schools. During the course of Health Committee and the Department of Health. A this two-month inquiry the Committee heard evidence call for evidence was published at the end of July and from, among others, Government representatives, the inquiry will be formally launched with a seminar OFSTED, the Association for Science Education, the in October. learned Societies with an interest in this area and teachers’ unions representatives. The Committee Further information travelled to York to visit the National Science Learning The written and oral evidence to the Committee’s past Centre and Huntington School, a comprehensive inquiries mentioned above, as well as the Calls for school which has been granted technology college Evidence on the Committee’s new inquiries, can be status. The Committee also visited Little Heath School found on the Committee’s website in Reading, a specialist school in science and mathematics. www.parliament.uk/hlscience. Further information about the work of the Committee can be obtained New inquiry: Personal Internet Security from Cathleen Schulte, Committee Specialist The Select Committee has appointed a Sub- ([email protected] or 020 7219 2491). The Committee to undertake an inquiry into personal Committee’s email address is internet security. A call for evidence for this major [email protected].

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 37 House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology

Under the Standing Orders, the Committee’s terms of reference are to examine “the expenditure, policy and administration of the Office of Science and Technology and its associated public bodies”. The new Committee was nominated on 19 July 2005. Members of the Committee are Adam Afriyie (Con, Windsor), Mr Jim Devine (Livingston), Mr Robert Flello (Lab, Stoke on Trent South), Dr Evan Harris (Lib Dem, Oxford West and Abingdon), Dr Brian Iddon (Lab, Bolton South East), Margaret Moran (Lab, Luton South), Mr Brooks Newmark (Con, Braintree), Anne Snelgrove (Lab/Co op, South Swindon), Bob Spink (Con, Castle Point), Dr Desmond Turner (Lab, Brighton Kemptown), and Mr Phil Willis (Lib Dem, Harrogate and Knaresborough). Mr Phil Willis was elected Chairman of the Committee at its first meeting on 20 July 2005.

Oral Evidence technologies (HETs) in sport, with particular reference to technologies which are likely to impact Science Question Time on the 2012 Olympics. The Committee is particularly The Committee hosted a “Science Question Time” interested in the opportunities and problems with Lord Sainsbury of Turville on Tuesday 20 June. presented by the increasing availability of Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law: technologies capable of enhancing sporting Follow-up session performance. On Wednesday 12 July, the Committee took evidence On Wednesday 21 June the Committee held a public from Caroline Flint MP, Minister of State for Public seminar on human enhancement technologies in Health, Mr Hugh Whittall, Divisional Head, Scientific sport at which it heard from Mr Linford Christie OBE, Development and Bioethics Division, and Mr Ted Professor Ron Maughan, University of Loughborough, Webb, Section Head, Assisted Reproduction Services, Mr Steve Maynard, HFL Ltd, and Professor Julian Policy and Regulation, Department of Health. This Savulescu, University of Oxford. The first oral session was a follow-up to the Committee's Fifth evidence session took place on 24 July when the Report of Session 2004-05, Human Reproductive Committee took evidence from Mr Matthew Reader, Technologies and the Law (HC 7) and the Government Head of Elite Sports Team, Department for Culture, response (HC 491). Media and Sport, Mr John Scott, Director of Drug Free Sport, and Ms Allison Holloway, Education Current Inquiries Manager for Drug Free Sport, UK Sport. Scientific Advice, Risk and Evidence: How Research Council Institutes Government Handles Them The Committee announced its terms of reference on On 9 November 2005 the Committee announced an 22 March. The inquiry will focus on the Research inquiry into scientific advice, risk and evidence. The Councils’ strategies for providing support to their inquiry is focusing upon the mechanisms in place for institutes and centres. The terms of reference include the use of scientific advice (including the social the role of institutes in maintaining the UK research sciences) and the way in which the guidelines and skills base, the balance between Research Council governing the use of such advice are being applied in expenditure on institutes and grant funding, the practice across Government. On 5 July, the different approaches adopted by the Research Committee took evidence from Rt Hon Alistair Councils on supporting the institutes and a review of Darling MP, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, progress on current reorganisations of institutes such Professor Sir David King, Government Chief Scientific as the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Adviser and Head of the Office of Science and The first oral evidence session took place on 28 June Innovation, and Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent when the Committee heard from Professor Julia Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry. Goodfellow CBE, Chief Executive, Biotechnology and During the course of this inquiry the Committee also Biological Sciences Research Council, Professor Colin considered a number of case studies including the Blakemore, Chief Executive, Medical Research technologies supporting the Government’s proposals Council, and Professor Alan Thorpe, Chief Executive, for identity cards, the classification of illegal drugs, Natural Environment Research Council. and the use of MRI equipment and the EU Physical UK Space Policy Agents (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive. Reports on the case studies were published in June, July and On 19 July the Committee announced a major new August as detailed below. The Committee expects to inquiry into UK space policy. The inquiry will address publish a Report on the overarching inquiry in the some key broad issues including: the impact of autumn. current levels of investment in space-related activities on the UK's international competitiveness in this Human Enhancement Technologies in Sport sector; the benefits and value for money obtained On 1 March the Committee announced a new inquiry from participation in the European Space Agency and focused on the use of human enhancement other international programmes; the maximisation of

38 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 commercial benefits and wealth creation from UK drug classification and policy, the Advisory Council space-based technologies through innovation and on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The Committee knowledge transfer; the delivery of public benefits found a lack of transparency in areas of the ACMD's from the space-related activities of different work, significant anomalies in the classification of Government departments including DEFRA, MoD, individual drugs, and a lack of consistency in the DTI, DfT, and the co-ordination of these activities, rationale used to make classification decisions. The and the support for space-related research. Written Committee concluded that the current classification evidence is invited until Friday 13 October and oral system is not fit for purpose and should be replaced evidence sessions will begin in the autumn. with a more scientifically based scale of harm, decoupled from penalties for possession and Reports trafficking. Furthermore, it urged the Home Secretary Research Council Support for Knowledge Transfer to undertake a review of the current system without The Committee published its Third Report of Session delay. 2005–06, Research Council Support for Knowledge Scientific Advice: The Technologies Supporting Transfer (HC 995) on 15 June 2006. Identity Cards The inqury was the first thematic scrutiny of Research The Committee published its Sixth Report of Session Council activity and it focused upon the effectiveness 2005–06, Identity Card Technologies: Scientific Advice, of the Research Councils' knowledge transfer Risk and Evidence (HC 1032) on 4 August 2006. programmes. The Committee concluded that the The case study focused on the Home Office's identity Research Councils have an important role to play in cards scheme, which uses various technologies adding value to research supported across the UK and including biometrics, information and that there is general support for the knowledge communications technology (ICT) and smart cards. transfer schemes they have implemented. However, The Report highlighted a number of areas in which the Committee also found weaknesses in Research the treatment of scientific advice and evidence Council strategies for promotion of knowledge appears to be following good practice such as the use transfer, particularly with regard to engagement with of advisory committees and development of risk the Regional Development Agencies and Small and management strategies. However, the Committee also Medium size Enterprises. Among the recommendations made by the Committee were the found a lack of transparency surrounding the suggestions that the Research Councils share best incorporation of scientific advice, and an inconsistent practice in knowledge transfer and increase the approach to scientific evidence. The Report number of their staff with skills and expertise in recommended that the Home Office establish an ICT knowledge transfer. assurance committee, increase clarity and transparency across the programme and maintain Scientific Advice: EU Physical Agents flexibility regarding timescale and cost. (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive The Committee published its Fourth Report of Government Responses Session 2005–06, Watching the Directives: Scientific The Committee published its Fourth Special Report Advice on the EU Physical Agents (Electromagnetic of Session 2005-06, Government Response to the Fields) Directive (HC 1030) on 29 June 2006. Committee's Second Report, Session 2005-06: Strategic The Report was the first of three case studies under Science Provision in English Universities: A Follow-up the Committee's overarching inquiry into how the (HC 1382) on 25 July 2006.. Government handles scientific advice, evidence and risk in policy making. The Committee discovered Further Information failings in the way that scientific advice was used to Further information about the work of the Committee inform the EU Physical Agents (Electromagnetic or its current inquires can be obtained from the Clerk Fields) Directives both in Brussels and in the UK. The of the Committee, Lynn Gardiner, the Second Clerk, Commission was heavily reliant on one source of Celia Blacklock, or from the Committee Assistant, Ana advice, the International Commission on Non- Ferreira on 020 7219 2792/0859/2794; or by writing Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and in the UK to: The Clerk of the Committee, Science and there were serious failings in the consultation process. The Report recommended improvements to the way Technology Committee, House of Commons, in which the Government and scientific communities 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA. Inquiries can also be can interact on European legislation. emailed to [email protected]. Anyone wishing to be included on the Committee’s mailing list Scientific Advice: The Classification of Illegal should contact the staff of the Committee. Anyone Drugs wishing to submit evidence to the Committee is The Committee published its Fifth Report of Session strongly recommended to obtain a copy of the 2005–06, Drug classification: making a hash of it? (HC guidance note first. Guidance on the submission of 1031) on 31 July 2006. evidence can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/ This case study addressed the relationship between commons/selcom/witguide.htm.The Committee has a scientific advice and evidence and the classification of new website address: www.parliament.uk/s&tcom. All illegal drugs. During the inquiry the Committee recent publications (from May 1997 onwards), terms considered in detail the role played by, and workings of reference for all inquiries and press notices are of, the Government's scientific advisory committee on available at this address.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 39 Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Recent POST publications carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted. There is some debate Analogue to digital TV switchover about how large these footprints are, especially for June 2006 POSTnote 264 “low carbon” technologies such as wind and nuclear. In September 2005 the Government committed to Fossil fuelled technologies have the largest carbon switch over from analogue to only digital television in footprints, because they burn these fuels during the UK. Digital switchover will occur, region-by- operation. Non-fossil fuel based technologies such as region, between 2008 and 2012. This briefing updates wind, solar and nuclear are often referred to as “low POSTnote 233 on Digital Television and looks at the carbon” or “carbon neutral” because they do not emit logistics of implementing the switchover and its CO2 during their operation. However, they are not implications. “carbon free” forms of generation since CO2 emissions do arise in other phases of their life cycle such as UK Soil degradation during extraction, construction, maintenance and June 2006 POSTnote 265 decommissioning. This POSTnote compares the life Soil degradation involves both the physical loss cycle CO2 emissions of different electricity generation (erosion) and the reduction in quality of topsoil systems currently used in the UK. associated with nutrient decline and contamination. It affects soil quality for agriculture and has implications Computer Crime for the urban environment, pollution and flooding. October 2006 POSTnote 269 Currently, 2.2 million tonnes of topsoil is eroded An increasing number of domestic and international annually in the UK and over 17% of arable land criminal activities are taking place via the Internet and shows signs of erosion. This POSTnote examines the computers are now commonly used as a tool to nature and extent of soil degradation in the UK and commit crime. A personal computer connected to the the challenges and opportunities for soils in a Internet without protection can be infected by changing climate. These include the potential for malicious software in under a minute, highlighting the using degraded and polluted soils in the built importance of securing information systems. Two- environment for brownfield redevelopment as well as thirds of UK businesses surveyed by the DTI reported the possibility of using soils to mitigate carbon an information security incident in 2006. This emissions. briefing provides background on the scale and nature of computer crime, technologies that are available to Children's medicines protect computers and highlights the key policy July 2006 POSTnote 266 challenges and responses. All medicines undergo clinical trials to assess their safety, quality and effectiveness. Most tests use adults; Data Encryption fewer than 50% of children’s medicines have actually October 2006 POSTnote 270 been tested in children. A new European regulation Encryption is one technique that is increasingly used that aims to increase the development and testing of to protect digital information, from personal details medicines specifically for use in children will become stored on a computer to financial details transmitted law in the UK by the end of 2006. This note examines over the Internet. This POSTnote gives an overview of current and future regulation of research into, and encryption techniques, their reliability and clinical trials of, children’s medicines and discusses applications. Encryption can enhance digital security the issues raised. and privacy but it may also be used to help conceal criminal activity. The briefing also discusses Adapting to climate change in the UK controversy over Government proposals to give the July 2006 POSTnote 267 Police new powers to access encrypted data under the Scientists believe that a certain amount of climate Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, 2000. change is inevitable over the next few decades, irrespective of future carbon emissions. The Climate change in developing countries Government and businesses are beginning to assess October 2006 POSTnote 271 what the impacts might be for the UK and to develop Climate change poses a serious threat to development strategies and tools for dealing with them. This and poverty reduction in the poorest and most POSTnote outlines some of the impacts climate vulnerable regions of the world. Minimising the change may have and discusses remaining areas of impacts of climate change requires adaptation. In uncertainty and debate. 2005, under the UK’s presidency, the G8 Plan of Action1 included an agreement to assist developing Carbon footprint of electricity generation countries adapt to climate change. This POSTnote October 2006 POSTnote 268 examines how adaptation to climate change is being All electricity generation systems have a “carbon approached in developing countries. It will also footprint”, that is, at some point during their life cycle address the role of the international community and

40 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 how the UK Government is helping developing Walraj Gosal (University of Leeds) (NESTA fellow) countries to build their capacity to adapt to climate joined POST in September to work on a POSTnote on change and assisting in adaptation. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Rachel Gaulton (University of Edinburgh) joined POST Current work in September to work on a POSTnote on Sustainable Biological Sciences and Health – Avian flu, forestry in the UK. Prolonging life in newborns, Alzheimer’s disease and Kaveri Harriss (London School of Hygiene and dementia, Health inequalities, Social inequalities in Tropical Medicine) (ESRC fellow) joined POST in health provision and Assisted reproduction October to work on a POSTnote on Social inequalities technologies. in health provision. Environment and Energy – Ecosystem services, Barnali Ghost (1851 commission) joined POST in Carbon footprint of biofuels, Local air quality, Smart October to carry out background research on metering, Food security in developing countries, transmutation, wave power and micro generation. Siting of nuclear power plants International activities Physical Sciences, IT and Communications - e- Chandrika Nath spoke at the UNESCO Conference on Science and the Grid, Military uses of space, Dialogue among Civilisations, Cultures and Peoples Computer crime, Electronic waste, Internet through Education and Science in Abuja, Nigeria on infrastructure and governance, Electricity 19-22 June. infrastructure. Amina Hossain attended the Inter-Parliamentary Science Policy – International migration of scientists Information Network conference in Belfast on 19-21 and engineers, Alternatives to custodial sentencing for July. young adult offenders. Jane Strachan (NERC fellow) presented a poster on her Fellows and interns at POST work at POST at the 5th International NCCR Climate Summer School on Adaptation and Mitigation: Maria Cruz (University of Oxford) (Gulbenkian Responses to Climate Change on 27 August- Foundation fellow) joined POST in August to assist on 1 September at Grindelwald, Switzerland. several current POST projects. The Chair, Dr Ashok Kumar MP, Board Member, Lord Sally Powell (University of Southampton) (intern) Oxburgh, and the Director attended the 3rd joined POST in September to work on a POSTnote on international Science and Technology in Society Forum Smart metering. In Kyoto, Japan on 9-11 September. Dr Kumar made a Sophie Allebone Webb (Imperial College) joined POST plenary presentation on the dialogue between scientists in September to work on a POSTnote on Food and political leaders, while Lord Oxburgh chaired a Security in developing countries. session on environmental policy.

Debates and Selected Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Following is a selection of Debates from the House of Commons and House of Lords A full digest of all Debates, Questions and Answers on topics of scientific interest from 5th June to 25th July 2006 from both Houses of Parliament appears on pages 45 to 50.

Health of Cabinet rank should be appointed and located Ageing (S&T Report) within the DTI. No additional funds are requested initially, but existing funds should be spent Debate in House of Lords on Monday 5 June strategically, effectively, efficiently and in a manner Lord Sutherland of Houndwood: More people are more proportionate to the needs of society. living longer in greater prosperity according to the first Lord Turnberg: Research on ageing crosses many report of the Science and Technology Committee on boundaries, such as the Alzheimer’s Society, British “Ageing: Scientific Aspects”. There is a need for a Society for Research on Ageing, the Wellcome Trust, strategy to direct expenditure on research and its MRC, ESRC, BBSRC and the Department of Health applications to the massive demographic changes in (DoH), though none has a prime responsibility. The our society. Initiatives from government departments Funders Forum which is supposed to bring many of appear uncorrelated and do not amount to a strategy. these organisations together meets only rarely, has no The optimum situation and ideal outcome would be to power and is unsupported by a specific government live long and die fast. The Committee was advised by department. The MRC and NHS R&D funds are now Professor Tom Kirkwood and addressed biomedical combining with UK Clinical Research Collaboration aspects of ageing and assistive technology. A minister (UKCRC) in a new clinical research model that does

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 41 not discuss ageing, which could be devolved to age people from 75% to 80% by encouraging older UKCRC. DoH should become the lead department people to stay in, come into or come back to work. working with the Office of Science and Innovation. Estimates 2006-07: Department of Health Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior: The Science and Debate in House of Commons on Monday 3 July Technology Committee finds the Government response deeply disappointing and lacking joined-up thinking. Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough) The Government fail to acknowledge the problems and introduced the debate concerning reports from the opportunities presented by an ageing society. In reply Science and Technology Committee, Session 2004-05 to a question about collaboration and co-operation and on Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law progress made in research pertinent to ageing and and the Government’s response thereto and the disability, the British Society for Research on Ageing, Department of Health report, with particular reference The British Society of Gerontology and the British to the Estimate for a grant-in-aid to the Human Geriatrics Society had all said that they “do not Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The actually get together”. Committee’s enquiry, which began in late 2003 under Dr Gibson’s chairmanship, had serious concerns about Baroness Finlay of Llandaff wished to add life to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority years and years to life. Adding life to years recognises (HFEA) and considered the Government’s offer to keep that those in retirement are an enormous resource that the HFEA under review to be inadequate. The would benefit from specific attention to technological Government must now produce a Bill to enable solutions such as driving, car design, telecommunica- creation of the new regulatory authority for tissues and tions, information technology, internet shopping, and embryos – RATE – from the HFEA and the Human wherever possible keeping people out of the need for Tissue Authority (HTA) by 2008. Areas of agreement healthcare by reducing the incidence of falls, which are consisted of assisted reproduction, in vitro fertilisation the fifth most common cause of death in the elderly. (IVF), and new legislation that reflects changes in Lord May of Oxford noted that the Economic and public perception, with consideration being given to Social Research Council (ESRC) only spends 1.2% of regulation of IVF as for other medical procedures. its budget on research on topics related to ageing. This Other areas of agreement include the need for greater is smaller than any other research council including clarity in policy making by HFEA and removal of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research legislation on abortion from the HFEA Act. Areas of Council. disagreement include the Government’s use of the precautionary principle, and the Committee’s view on Lord Rea emphasised the importance of the the mismatch in the protection offered to an embryo in nutritional environment in early life, including the vitro before implantation and one at a later stage of intra-uterine environment and the links between development. This relates mainly to use of pre- healthy eating and healthy ageing that need to be implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) which may better understood and communicated to the public. result in a fall in demand for abortions. Very few of the Baroness Neuberger was concerned that the 104 recommendations made by the Committee were Government did not comment on the suggestion in rejected outright and the Government consulted the first report that since 38% of NHS expenditure is widely to gauge professional and public opinion. The spent on the 16% of the population over 65, anything greatest area of disagreement was over the future role which can be done to narrow the gap between life of Parliament in regulation. expectancy and healthy life expectancy would free Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale) significant resources. indicated that PGD screening could become the Lord Skelmersdale called for more support for ultimate form of discrimination against people with longitudinal studies. Of the committee’s 48 disabilities by denying them the chance to be born. recommendations there are only seven agreements and Ann Winterton (Congleton) who was chairman of the eight cases where the Government recognise the all-party Pro-Life Group for 10 years, emphasised that importance of the recommendation in question. a child benefits from the security of a father and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, mother within a stable family environment and it is Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Hunt of wrong to create a new life artificially without a mother Kings Heath): The Government take this work and father. seriously and their response was intended as a positive Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East) hoped that this contribution to the committee and the debate and would be the first of many debates on the subject further dialogue between the Government and the before the legislation is changed and hoped that it Select Committee is positively encouraged. A further would not be hijacked by the abortion issue. response will be made in the light of this debate, specifically commenting on the points raised therein. Robert Key (Salisbury): Humanity commences at 14 The DWP is pivotal as a research co-ordinator, and is days with the appearance of the primitive streak, the concerned with the Green Paper on welfare reform, precursor of the spinal cord, signifying cell which has aspirations to raise the number of working differentiation and the beginning of sentience. Only 30%

42 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 of fertilised eggs of embryos implant in the womb, Education while the 70% that do not implant, are echoed throughout nature. If all human embryos are regarded Engineering Training as having full human status from the moment of Debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 4 July conception and 70% of them are destroyed as Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough, South and East ensouled human beings, does that mean that heaven is Cleveland): I was practising as an engineer and was an largely populated by embryos? active member of the Institution of Chemical Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich, North): The HFEA is to Engineers before entering the House of Commons. I merge with the HTA and asks if this is political? The represent a constituency in the north-east with a large British Medical Association is none too happy. We chemical and process engineering sector that is could also think of merging the HFEA and the Human important for our country as well as Europe. The Genetics Commission (HGC), Baroness Kennedy’s scientific and engineering community are pivotal to group, which examines many issues, such as the new modern life, nationally and internationally. Hence genetic science and its effect on disabled people. Do Governments must play their part in training and we need a national bioethics committee? Will preparing the future work force. The shortage of maths Parliament really be the best place to make the big and physics teachers undermines secondary education, decisions? Should we stop giving such issues to with teachers expected to teach subjects outside their quangos? own discipline, as only 19% of science teachers Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree): There must now be specialise in physics and only 25% specialise in a solid case for reconsidering the HFEA, its remit and chemistry. This leads to a downturn in those studying composition, with critical failings within its IT maths and physics at A-level, which underpin infrastructure and its lack of a sound basis of scientific engineering studies, which are also down by about expertise, even if the status quo of lay dominance over 30% at some UK universities. Nearly 35% of day-to-day decisions is to be preserved. Parliament, engineering companies do not expect to be able to not the HFEA is the only crucible in which these recruit enough suitably qualified staff this year. questions can be discussed fully. The Royal Academy of Engineering reported that Dr Evan Harris (Oxford, West and Abingdon): The companies have a shortage of high-calibre UK report is liberalising and brave. It does not argue for a engineering graduates, and that undergraduates are not change in the 14-day limit, which is the fundamental being given appropriate experience of applying theory limit in the 1990 settlement and in Warnock; it does to real open-ended problems. Undergraduate teaching not argue against the Warnock consensus on the needs urgent overhaul to meet the needs of industry. gradual acquisition of rights by the embryo and foetus; Private training providers such as the Teesside Training and does not argue for liberalisation of abortion law. Enterprise reject 40 or 50 potential engineering Dr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire) was trainees every year because they are over 19 years in disappointed that legislation on removing donor age, which should be rectified. The specialist diploma anonymity was whipped through without a free vote, in engineering for 14 to 19 year-olds will be available as it was later discovered that the legislation was in some schools from 2008 and hopefully will succeed drafted on the basis of poor evidence and those where the GCSE and GNVQ in engineering failed. providing fertility treatments are suffering. The Minister for Higher Education and Lifelong The Minister of State, Department of Health Learning (Bill Rammell): UK entrants to engineering (Caroline Flint) was pleased that that the link courses in 2005 were up 10% in general engineering, between chlamydia and infertility had been and up by 4% in civil or mechanical engineering but mentioned, as attempts have been made to think much fell by about 8% in electrical engineering. Action needs more closely about connections between these two to be taken at all levels in the education system, and most importantly, at a much earlier stage than higher issues. We should do whatever we can to prevent the education. That is why the 14-19 agenda is so likelihood of future infertility, and one of the ways we important. Engineering will be among the first five can do that is through better screening for chlamydia; sectors to offer the employer-led specialist diplomas another is by people practising safer sex more which provide mixed theoretical and practical learning regularly. for people of all abilities. The Chancellor made a Stem cell research offers enormous potential to deliver commitment to £32 million-worth of new measures new treatments for currently incurable illnesses, such over the next two years, supported by £18 million- as chronic heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s worth of new funding. The teacher training bursary disease. In the March 2005 Budget, the Chancellor rose to £7000 in September 2005 and will rise again to announced the establishment of the UK stem cell £9000 this September. The “golden hello” for new initiative, a task force charged with developing a vision science teachers rose to £5000 for trainees entering the and costing strategy to make the UK a global leader in postgraduate certificate of education or equivalent stem cell research. courses in September 2005.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 43 Energy moment is wind, which will therefore proliferate until the obligation is reformed. This is a pity, because other Wind Power sources of renewable power such as tidal, wave and Debate in House of Commons on Friday 16 June biomass power are less visually intrusive and Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test): The UK potentially more beneficial. If local communities want electrical grid is likely to become a more overlapping small-scale wind farms that are appropriate for their series of grids. However, larger base load supply and needs, they should have them. grid connections will still be needed if the system is to Mr Elliott Morley (Scunthorpe): People need work well into the second half of the century. An information about how they can become involved in alternative is needed to connecting offshore farms in developments. They need empowering so that they can deeper waters of the North Sea to the existing UK grid get involved and they need technical support and by umbilical cords. This could be a new interconnector finance. The idea of a revolving fund is a good one that links offshore wind farms together with linkages which the Treasury and the Department of Trade and to the national grids in the UK, Germany and Holland. Industry well recognise. It would facilitate development of larger amounts of Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test): A very large sustainable and clean energy, and the development of a percentage of the fuel going into big power is lost even single energy market in Europe using current before it has reaches the transmission cables where technology. The electrical output could be aggregated further loss occurs, whereas community energy and smoothed to produce a base load of energy from produces power locally, and in the case of wind farms, wind with minimal variability. 100% of the fuel in is converted to power out. Local The Minister for Energy (Malcolm Wicks): Offshore combined heat and power generation can be 70% to wind could mitigate the capacity gap that the UK will 80% effective and distribution losses avoided. face soon. The European grid is also being considered Mr Alan Duncan (Rutland and Melton): In 1997 the at the European level. A competitive single market for Prime Minister promised to put the environment at the energy should be the framework within which the top of the agenda, but since then we have had nine European energy policy is approached. The higher cost years, six energy Ministers, three energy reviews and of developing offshore wind remains an issue, with our carbon emissions have increased. I am told we grid connections amounting to 15% of capital costs for have the lowest level of renewable power in Europe, round 2 wind farms. It is expected that most of the Malta excepted. The problem is that the renewables grid connections for Round 2 projects will be direct obligation in its present form provides a significant connections to shore in Great Britain, either incentive for building wind farms at the expense of connecting single offshore projects or by joint other renewables technologies. The renewables connections shared by several offshore projects. The obligation does not do enough to incentivise European supergrid proposal is an idea for the longer photovoltaic, geothermal, wave and tidal technologies, term. and it does not do very much to stimulate research Wind Energy into technologies that are still at the experimental or prototype stage, resulting in so many applications to Debate in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 12 July build wind farms throughout the country. Alun Michael (Cardiff, South and Penarth): The Minister for Energy (Malcolm Wicks):Wales is Community based wind farms can bring together the already making a welcome contribution to renewable three strands of sustainable development – energy targets as almost 25% of total UK onshore wind environmental, economic and social. Examples from farm generation is located there. North Hoyle, our first Wales, Cumbria and elsewhere were discussed in some large-scale wind farm to generate electricity offshore, detail where community involvement, accountability has been operating successfully for more than two and ownership had resulted in successful distributed years. A target has been set to supply 10% of our renewable generation schemes. Embedded energy is electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and it is more efficient and develops solutions tailored to local expected that the largest contribution will come from situations and attracts new skills and jobs into the wind, both onshore and offshore. Last year more than social enterprise sector at the local level. The key is 440MW of new wind capacity was built – 356MW access to finance and a better understanding by onshore and a further 90MW offshore. A further national and local bureaucracies of how to nurture the 479MW is under construction, including the 90MW sector’s potential. A renewable heat obligation should Barrow offshore wind farm. The Renewables Advisory be put in place by expressing the output of the energy Board has recently commissioned work on community industry in terms of heat and light rather than in benefits from wind power development, public specific forms of energy. The UK is trailing in seventh engagement protocols for wind power projects and place on installed wind capacity, yet has the greatest bankable models for community ownership of wind wind resource in Europe, that is not being used farms. I should also mention the low carbon buildings adequately. programme because some £80 million is available to Mr David Jones (Clwyd, West): The renewables spend on microgeneration. That will enable some of obligation is a blunt instrument. It rewards the least the ideas about co-operation to be introduced into capital-intensive source of generation, which at the community buildings, not least schools.

44 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 UK Parliament - Digest of Parliamentary Debates, Questions and Answers 5th June – 25th July 2006

The references are to Hansard, giving first the date of publication, either HoC (House of Commons) or HoL (House of Lords), and finally the column number in Hansard. *Denotes selected Debates and Questions and Answers of particular interest which are reproduced on pages 41 to 44.

Agriculture Air Traffic Control – 18.7.06 HoC 263W Biofuel Crops – 14.7.06 HoC 2176W Airbus – 5.6.06 HoL WA137 Biomass Energy Crops – 24.7.06 HoC 710W Aircraft Emissions – 11.7.06 HoC 1697W & 14.7.06 HoC Task Force – 20.7.06 HoC 446 2094W Energy Crops – 25.7.06 HoC 1482W Aircraft Trails – 28.6.06 HoC 456W Scheme – 10.7.06 HoC 1398W Alternative Aircraft Fuels – 25.7.06 HoC 1289W Energy: Biomass – 25.7.06 HoL WA242 Heathrow Air Quality Report – 19.7.06 HoL WS89 GM Crops – 5.6.06 HoC 97W, 14.6.06 HoC 1198W, 20.7.06 HoC 38WS & 24.7.06 HoC 718W Biodiversity and Conservation GM Organisms – 20.6.06 HoC 1821W, 26.6.06 HoC 19W Acoustic Porpoise Deterrent Devices – 29.6.06 HoL & 10.7.06 HoC 1402W WA181 Plant Breeding – 29.6.06 HoC 523W Biodiversity – 5.7.06 HoC 1135W & 20.7.06 HoC 452 Sugar Beet – bioethanol – 14.7.06 HoC 2187W Adjournment debate – 14.6.06 HoC 306WH Sustainable Farming – 5.6.06 HoC 165W European Marine Strategy – 10.7.06 HoL WA83 Birds – 20.7.06 HoL WA194 Animal Experiments Conservation – 5.7.06 HoC 1136W Animal Experimentation – 5.6.06 HoC 52W Genetic Use Restriction Technologies – 25.7.06 HoC Animal Experiments – 20.6.06 HoC 1828W, 29.6.06 HoC 1491W 524W & 4.7.06 HoC 1040W Ivory – 20.7.06 HoC 438 & HoL WA205 Animal Procedures Committee – 6.6.06 HoC 18WS & Red Squirrel Population – adjournment debate – 28.6.06 HoL WS79 & 6.7.06 HoC 1319W HoC 103WH Animal Research: Primates – 25.7.06 HoL WA241 Sandeels – 29.6.06 HoL WA181 Animal Testing – 5.6.06 HoC 264W & 28.6.06 HoC Sea Turtles – 5.6.06 HoC 160W 501W Whales – 25.7.06 HoC 1515W Animal Welfare – 13.7.06 HoC 2016W Whaling – 13.6.06 HoC 1065W & 1122W & 21.6.06 Porton Down – 8.6.06 HoC 783W HoC 1913W Primates – 19.7.06 HoC 563W Wild Flowers – 22.6.06 HoC 2039W Scientific Procedures on Living Animals – 24.7.06 HoC Wildlife Sites – 24.7.06 HoC 730W 81WS & HoL WS159 Animal Health and Welfare Bovine Tuberculosis Avian Influenza – 5.6.06 HoC 398W, 20.6.06 HoC 1819W Badgers – 13.7.06 HoC 1949W & 12.7.06 HoC 1846W Bovine TB – 5.6.06 HoC 87W & 147W Badgers – 10.7.06 HoC 1396W Bovine Tuberculosis – 7.6.06 HoC 617W, 12.6.06 HoC Birds – 3.7.06 HoC 740W 885W, 13.6.06 HoC 1060W, 21.6.06 HoC 1907W, 28.6.06 Imports – 18.7.06 HoL WA171 HoC 386W, 4.7.06 HoC 897W, 13.7.06 HoC 1949W, H5 Virus – 5.6.06 HoC 97W 14.7.06 HoC 2176W, 20.7.06 HoC 453 & 25.7.06 HoC H7N3 Virus (Norfolk) – 24.7.06 HoC 719W 1476W Health: Imported Animals – 5.6.06 HoL WA150 Bovine Tuberculosis and Badgers – 5.6.06 HoL WA141 & Health: Zoonoses – 5.6.06 HoL WA151 & 29.6.06 HoL 13.6.06 HoL WA10 WA185 Shellfish – 27.6.06 HoL WA140 Chemicals State Veterinary Service – 6.6.06 HoC 17WS Advisory Committee on Pesticides – 20.7.06 HoC 38WS Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies – 28.6.06 HoC Chemicals Regulations – 13.7.06 HoC 1951W 395W & 29.6.06 HoC 560W Crop Spraying – 20.7.06 HoC 39WS Vaccine Supply Tender – 11.7.06 HoC 61WS Cypermethrin – 12.7.06 HoC 1850W Veterinary Surgeons – 12.7.06 HoC 1857W Environmental Pollution – 20.7.06 HoL WS110 Crop spraying – 20.7.06 HoL WA199 Aviation Fungaflor – 14.6.06 HoC 1198W Aeroplanes (Air Quality) – 26.6.06 HoC 32W Formulation Application – 12.6.06 HoC 892W

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 45 Health and Safety – 12.6.06 HoC 893W Defence (Gulf War) Methyl Bromide – 17.7.06 HoC 29W & 25.7.06 HoC Gulf War Illnesses – 19.7.06 HoC 503W & 24.7.06 HoL 1226W WS145 Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether – 13.6.06 HoC 1164W & Gulf War Syndrome – 22.6.06 HoL WA98, 17.7.06 HoL 10.7.06 HoC 1486W WA164 & 24.7.06 HoL WA227 Parkinson’s Disease – 5.7.06 HoC 1227W Gulf War Veterans – 5.7.06 HoC 1103W & 20.7.06 HoC Pest Control – 5.6.06 HoC 155W 37WS Sheep Dip – 12.6.06 HoC 897W Sulphuric Acid – 17.7.06 HoC 243W Education Baccalaureate – 4.7.06 HoC 1001W Climate Change BECTA – 3.7.06 HoC 663W Carbon Dioxide Emissions – 4.7.06 HoC 898W Degree Subjects – 16.6.06 HoC 1437W & 19.6.06 HoC Carbon Islands – 17.7.06 HoC 25W 1630W Climate Change – 5.6.06 HoC 149W, 8.6.06 HoC 37WS & Engineering Students – 29.6.06 HoC 367 HoL WS97, 14.6.06 HoC 1227W, 22.6.06 HoC 1450 & * Engineering Training – adjournment debate – 4.7.06 HoC 2146W, 26.6.06 HoC 11W, 3.7.06 HoC 835W, 19.7.06 227WH HoC 305 & 25.7.06 HoC 1478W Field Courses – 5.6.06 HoC 73W EAC Report – debate – 14.7.06 HoL 901 GCSE/A-levels – 25.7.06 HoC 1445W Greenhouse Gas Emissions – 4.7.06 HoL 127 Higher Education – 15.6.06 HoC 1393W Greenhouse Emissions – 17.7.06 HoC 28W Research and Funding – 13.6.06 HoC 51WS & HoL Greenhouse Gases – 25.7.06 HoC 1523W WS9 Tropical Rainforests – 25.7.06 HoL WA272 Medicine – 7.6.06 HoC 653W Nuclear Scientists/Engineers – 15.6.06 HoC 1404W Construction Psychology Degrees – 5.6.06 HoC 456W Building Standards – 6.7.06 HoC 1309W Research Assessment – 20.6.06 HoC 1705W & 20.7.06 Climate Change: Building Regulations – 14.6.06 HoL HoC 649W WS14 Research Funding – 29.6.06 HoC 376 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – 12.6.06 HoC Schools: Out-of-classroom Education – 5.6.06 HoL WA167 971W & 14.6.06 HoC 57WS Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme – 18.7.06 HoC Multi-foil Insulation – 24.7.06 HoC 827W 314W Sustainable Buildings – 3.7.06 HoC 782W Science and Geography – 5.6.06 HoC 255W Science Courses (Higher and Further Education) – 16.6.06 Crime and Detection HoC 1442W Automatic Number Plate Recognition – 19.6.06 HoC Science Laboratories – 14.6.06 HoC 1217W 1668W Science Teaching – 19.6.06 HoC 1635W & 25.7.06 HoC DNA Bioscience – 22.6.06 HoC 2075W 1420W E-crime – 14.6.06 HoC 1309W Teachers (Maths Graduates) – 7.6.06 HoC 663W Forensic Science – 5.6.06 HoC 276W University Placements (Medicine) – 5.6.06 HoC 256W & Forensic Science Service – 29.6.06 HoC 650W & 19.7.06 7.6.06 HoC 663W HoC 548W University Ranking – 4.7.06 HoC 1040W Headcam Technology – 24.7.06 HoC 1151W Women Engineers – 11.7.06 HoC 1710W Identity Fraud – 21.6.06 HoC 2015W, 19.7.06 HoC 553W & 24.7.06 HoC 1153W Energy Identity Theft – 17.7.06 HoC 7 Biofuels – 13.6.06 HoC 1058W Pathologists – 5.6.06 HoC 282W Biomass – 5.6.06 HoC 148W & 12.6.06 HoC 870W Plastic Bullets (Alternatives) – 6.6.06 HoC 559W Energy Generation – 10.7.06 HoC 1477W Tasers – 5.7.06 HoC 1095W Industry – 8.6.06 HoC 798W Carbon Capture – 22.6.06 HoC 1456 & 19.7.06 HoC Defence 441W Aerial Vehicle Technology – 24.7.06 HoC 764W Carbon Emissions – 21.6.06 HoC 1909W Air Manufacturing Sector – 16.6.06 HoC 1519W Clean Coal – 24.7.06 HoC 1021W Army: Bowman Radio System – 12.6.06 HoL WA1 Coal Industry – 19.7.06 HoC 442W Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Procurement – Electric Power Distribution – 6.7.06 HoC 966 22.6.06 HoC 98WS & HoL WS47, 19.7.06 HoC 25WS & Energy: Coal Production – 19.6.06 HoL 512 HoL WS90 Energy: Coal-fired Generation – 19.7.06 HoL WA184 Defence Policy – debate- 22.6.06 HoC 1492 Energy Efficiency – 21.6.06 HoC 1880W & 19.7.06 HoC Global Positioning System Re-Radiators – 3.7.06 HoC 437W 706W Energy: Nuclear – 4.7.06 HoL WA33 Modernising Defence – 3.7.06 HoC 27WS & HoL WS1 Energy: Oil – 18.7.06 HoL WA173 New Technologies (Research) – 14.6.06 HoC 1233W Energy Recovery (Waste Incineration) – 22.6.06 HoC 1458 Nimrod MRA4 – 18.7.06 HoC 14WS & HoL WS79 Energy Review – 7.6.06 HoC 673W, 8.6.06 HoC 378, Nuclear Proliferation – debate – 6.6.06 HoL 1198 12.6.06 HoC 874W, 6.7.06 HoC 969 & 24.7.06 HoC Nuclear Weapons – 16.6.06 HoC 1527W 1026W Porton Down – 14.7.06 HoC 83WS & HoL WS66 Statement – 11.7.06 HoC 1261 & 12.7.06 HoL 707 Trident – 29.6.06 HoC 537W Energy White Paper – 22.6.06 HoC 2039W

46 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 European Energy – 5.6.06 HoC 225W EU Meetings Green Energy Sources – 26.6.06 HoC 72W Agriculture and Fisheries Council – 8.6.06 HoC 35WS, Hydro Power – 24.7.06 HoC 1032W 20.6.06 HoC 90WS, 29.6.06 HoC 15WS & 14.7.06 HoC Hydro-electricity – 25.7.06 HoC 1524W 85WS Microgeneration – 25.7.06 HoL WA263, 264 & WA278 Competitiveness Council – 6.6.06 HoC 20WS & HoL Micro-Renewables Targets – 27.6.06 HoC 247W WS82 Nuclear Energy – 3.7.06 HoC 860W & 18.7.06 HoC Education Council – 5.6.06 HoC 7WS & HoL WS65 297W Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Nuclear Fuel (Multilateral Agreement) – 10.7.06 HoC Council – 12.6.06 HoC 46WS & HoL WS3 1527W Energy Council – 6.6.06 HoC 22WS & HoL WS84; Nuclear Power – 5.6.06 HoC 446W, 26.6.06 HoC 75W, 15.6.06 HoC 71WS & HoL WS25 6.7.06 HoC 962 & 1294W & 19.7.06 HoC 446W Environment Council – 5.7.06 HoC 40WS Industry – 29.6.06 HoC 528W Health Ministers Informal Meeting – 29.6.06 HoC 16WS Stations – 8.6.06 HoC 779W & 12.6.06 HoC 877W & HoL WS65 Offshore Wind Development – 3.7.06 HoC 861W Telecoms Council – 6.6.06 HoC 19WS & HoL WS85; Opium Plants – 27.6.06 HoC 355W 15.6.06 HoC 73WS & HoL WS27 Power Stations – 17.7.06 HoC 140W Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council – Renewable Energy – 8.6.06 HoC 777W, 21.6.06 HoC 8.6.06 HoC 40WS & HoL WS102; 16.6.06 HoC 82WS & 1886W & 1911W, 22.6.06 HoC 2043W & HoC 2058W, HoL WS34 27.6.06 HoC 248W, 6.7.06 HoC 959 & 1295W, 17.7.06 HoC 141W, 18.7.06 HoC 299W & 25.7.06 HoC 1528W Fisheries Severn Barrage – 25.7.06 HoC 1532W Aquaculture – 28.6.06 HoL WA143 Project – 7.6.06 HoC 674W Cetaceans – 10.7.06 HoC 1396W Smart Grids – 29.6.06 HoC 531W Dolphins – 11.7.06 HoL WA99 Sustainability and Carbon Impact Accreditation Scheme – Fish Farms – 28.6.06 HoC 388W 22.6.06 HoC 2059W Fish Stocks – 10.7.06 HoC 1400W Sustainable Energy – 6.7.06 HoC 1298W Fisheries – 14.6.06 HoC 1197W, 5.7.06 HoC 1140W & * Wind Energy – adjournment debate – 12.7.06 HoC 19.7.06 HoC 439W 431WH Fishing – 7.6.06 HoL WA191 Wind Farms – 17.7.06 HoC 147W Salmon – 5.6.06 HoL WA148 * Wind Power – adjournment debate – 16.6.06 HoC 1040 Marine Fisheries Agency – 5.6.06 HoC 97W United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement Meeting – 5.6.06 Environment (Pollution) HoC 112W Aircraft Emissions – 4.7.06 HoC 897W Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia – 12.6.06 HoC 903W & Methane – 24.7.06 HoC 720W 22.6.06 HoC 1462 Nitrogen Dioxide – 15.6.06 HoC 1333W PM2.5 Particulates – 28.6.06 HoC 464W Food Pollution – 10.7.06 HoC 1403W Boron – 6.6.06 HoC 578W Ship-to-Ship Oil Transfers – 24.7.06 HoC 751W Child Malnutrition – 29.6.06 HoC 609W Water – 24.7.06 HoC 728W Childhood Obesity – 5.6.06 HoC 408W & 16.6.06 HoC 1533W Environment (Protection) Diet – 10.7.06 HoC 1621W & 24.7.06 HoC 1087W Antarctic Treaty – 3.7.06 HoC 834W Domestically Produced Food – 25.7.06 HoC 1481W Draft Marine Minerals Dredging Regulations – 6.6.06 HoC E-coli 0157 – 8.6.06 HoC 841W 16WS & HoL WS86 Egg Imports (Salmonella) – 3.7.06 HoC 811W Environmental Directives – 24.7.06 HoC 713W Fish Oil – 4.7.06 HoL WA34 Liability Directive – 26.6.06 HoC 15W & 29.6.06 Folic Acid – 5.6.06 HoC 19W HoC 559W Food Labelling – 24.7.06 HoC 1098W Environmental Protection: Marine Species – 16.6.06 HoL Adjournment debate – 11.7.06 HoC 1364 WA44 & 29.6.06 HoL WA183 Food (Nutritional Content) – 12.7.06 HoC 1884W Flooding – 8.6.06 HoC 802W Food Poisoning – 16.6.06 HoC 1544W Food Industry – 20.7.06 HoC 435 Food Safety – 24.7.06 HoC 1098W Genetically Modified Organisms – 14.7.06 HoC 2181W Food Standards Agency – 18.7.06 HoC 375W & 24.7.06 Marine Bill – 28.6.06 HoC 391W HoC 1099W Conservation – 28.6.06 HoC 392W Food Supplements – 29.6.06 HoC 613W & 4.7.06 HoC Environment – 16.6.06 HoC 1419W 981W Legislation – 27.6.06 HoL 1085 Nanotechnology Products – 24.7.06 HoC 721W Food Supplements Directive – 5.6.06 HoC 19W, 16.6.06 Orang-utans – 24.7.06 HoC 723W HoC 1545W & 13.7.06 HoC 2052W Scallop Dredging (Lyme Bay) – 20.7.06 HoC 442 Genetically Modified Organisms – 13.7.06 HoC 2054W Ship-to-Ship Oil Transfers – 25.7.06 HoC 1306W Illegal Food Imports – 17.7.06 HoC 154W Special Scientific Interest Areas – 19.6.06 HoC 1654W Meat Imports – 5.7.06 HoC 1142W Trees – 14.7.06 HoC 2189W Nutrient Profiling – 22.6.06 HoC 2104W Underwater Heritage – 12.7.06 HoL WA132 Reconstituted Milk – 5.6.06 HoC 385W Woodland – 5.7.06 HoC 1148W School Meals – 5.6.06 HoC 77W, 13.6.06 HoC 1100W &

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 47 4.7.06 HoC 989W Lyme’s Disease – 5.6.06 HoC 371W Adjournment debate – 5.7.06 HoC 281WH Malnutrition – 6.7.06 HoC 1248W Smuggled Illegal Meat – 22.6.06 HoC 2030W Measles – 4.7.06 HoC 948W Trans Fats – 29.6.06 HoC 624W Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis – 12.6.06 HoC Trans Fatty Acids – 25.7.06 HoC 1247W 876W Unpasteurised Milk – 6.6.06 HoC 591W NHS: In Vitro Fertilisation – 5.7.06 HoL WA51 New Treatments – 13.7.06 HoL WA139 Health (CAM) Obesity – 12.6.06 HoC 1018W, 13.6.06 HoC 1175W, 21.6.06 HoC 1949W, 5.7.06 HoC 1226W, 6.7.06 HoC Alternative Medicine – 20.6.06 HoC 1177 & 218W 1255W & HoL 358 & 12.7.06 HoC 1926W Chiropractic Management – 5.6.06 HoC 353W Osteoporosis – 26.6.06 HoC 235W Chiropractors – 5.6.06 HoC 411W Pain Treatment – adjournment debate – 14.6.06 HoC Complementary Medicine – 7.6.06 HoC 712W 298WH Therapists – 5.6.06 HoC 412W Parapox Virus – 7.6.06 HoC 719W Sickle Cell Anaemia – 16.6.06 HoC 1568W Health (Cancer) Sunglasses – 25.7.06 HoC 1246W Alimta – 13.7.06 HoC 2034W Tuberculosis – 6.6.06 HoC 591W Anaemia – 3.7.06 HoC 806W Tests – 7.6.06 HoL WA199 & 8.6.06 HoL WA210 Avastin – 22.6.06 HoC 2089W Bowel Cancer – 12.6.06 HoC 976W Health (Infections) Brachytherapy – 24.7.06 HoC 1080W Clostridium Difficile – 10.7.06 HoC 1620W, 13.7.06 HoC Breast Cancer – 21.6.06 HoC 1936W, 29.6.06 HoC 592W 2040W & 25.7.06 HoC 1205W & HoC 608W, 13.7.06 HoC 2037W & 14.7.06 HoC Outbreaks at Stoke Mandeville Hospital – 24.7.06 2143W HoC 78WS & HoL WS152 HER2 – 17.7.06 HoC 5WS & HoL WS70 Healthcare-acquired Infections – 5.6.06 HoC 425W Cancer – 21.6.06 HoC 1958W & 22.6.06 HoC 2090W Hospital Infections – 3.7.06 HoC 828W Drugs – 26.6.06 HoC 219W Hospital-acquired Infections – 19.7.06 HoC 511W Treatment (Beta Glucan) – 5.6.06 HoC 352W MRSA – 12.6.06 HoL WA5, 16.6.06 HoL WA45, 24.7.06 Herceptin – 12.6.06 HoL WS1 HoC 1060W & 25.7.06 HoC 1411W Cervical Cancer – 26.6.06 HoC 186W & 12.7.06 HoC 1915W Health (Influenza) Childhood Leukaemia – 5.6.06 HoC 407W Avian Influenza – 8.6.06 HoC 835W, 12.6.06 HoC 1007W, Colo-rectal Cancer – 12.6.06 HoC 1008W 14.7.06 HoC 2143W, 17.7.06 HoC 244W & 20.7.06 HoC Herceptin – 12.6.06 HoC 47WS & HoC 1014W 654W Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine – 10.7.06 HoC 1624W Influenza Pandemic – 5.6.06 HoC 432W & 20.7.06 HoC Lung Cancer – 29.6.06 HoC 598W & 4.7.06 HoC 948W 663W Lymphoma – 24.7.06 HoC 1106W Influenza Vaccine – 13.7.06 HoC 2060W Melanoma – 12.7.06 HoC 1841W Mesothelioma – 18.7.06 HoC 370W Health (Information Technology) Papilloma Virus Vaccine – 6.7.06 HoC 1257W, 11.7.06 Information Technology – 25.7.06 HoC 1222W HoC 1813W & 13.7.06 HoC 2081W National Programme for Information Technology – 16.6.06 Prostate Acid Phosphatase Test – 5.6.06 HoC 385W HoC 1557W & 20.6.06 HoC 1809W Prostate Cancer – 3.7.06 HoC 816W & 25.7.06 HoC NHS Care Records Service – 6.7.06 HoC 1249W 1243W NHS Information Technology – 6.7.06 HoC 1251W Skin Cancer – 5.6.06 HoC 386W & 18.7.06 HoC 150 Sunitinib – 26.6.06 HoC 239W Health (International Development) Velcade – 19.6.06 HoC 1605W African Countries (Medical Sector) – 12.6.06 HoC 946W Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Health (General) – 5.7.06 HoC 1079W * Ageing (S&T Report) – debate – 5.6.06 HoL GC289 Health Projects – 5.7.06 HoC 1080W Allergies (Deaths) – 12.7.06 HoC 1836W HIV/AIDS – 12.6.06 HoC 954W, 13.6.06 HoC 1053W, Bacteria-related Deaths – 12.7.06 HoC 1837W 15.6.06 HoC 1407W & 29.6.06 HoC 522W Childhood Obesity – 7.6.06 HoC 708W & 21.6.06 HoC Pharmaceuticals (Developing Nations) – 24.7.06 HoC 1936W 1002W Chlamydia – 12.6.06 HoC 1008W Rotavirus – 17.7.06 HoC 57W Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – 5.6.06 HoC 15W & 7.6.06 HoC 711W Health (Service) Crohn’s Disease – 24.7.06 HoC 1084W Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation – 29.6.06 Drugs: Schizophrenia – 24.7.06 HoL WA223 HoC 603W Embryology – 14.7.06 HoL WA149 Climate Change – 11.7.06 HoC 1803W * Health Estimates (HFEA) – debate – 3.7.06 HoC 528 Clinical Academic Staff – 25.7.06 HoC 1204W Health: Zoonoses – 8.6.06 HoL WA204 Genetic Testing – 27.6.06 HoC 324W High Voltage Transmission Lines – 16.6.06 HoC 1549W NHS: Accidental Deaths – 16.6.06 HoL WA46 Human Embryos – 5.6.06 HoC 23W NHS: Pathology Services – 26.6.06 HoL WA129

48 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Health (Vaccinations) Alzheimer’s Disease – 27.6.06 HoC 317W, 4.7.06 HoC Childhood Immunisation – 5.6.06 HoC 14W 976W, 13.7.06 HoC 2035W & 24.7.06 HoC 1077W Services – 6.7.06 HoC 1242W Anticholinesterase Drugs – 20.6.06 HoC 1174 MMR – 24.7.06 HoC 1109W Cannabis (Therapeutic Use) – 13.6.06 HoC 1150W & Seasonal Influenza Vaccine – 5.7.06 HoC 1233W 14.6.06 HoC 1278W Tetanus – 4.7.06 HoC 990W & 5.7.06 HoC 1109W Chiron (Diamorphine Supply) – 25.7.06 HoC 1203W Tuberculosis – 7.6.06 HoC 725W & 26.6.06 HoC 239W Clinical Trial Regulations – 10.7.06 HoC 1619W Immunisation – 8.6.06 HoC 853W Clinical Trials – 14.6.06 HoC 1255W Vaccination – 19.7.06 HoC 480W Counterfeit Medicines – 25.7.06 HoC 1210W Vaccine Damage Payments – 10.7.06 HoC 1628W Diabetes: Inhaled Insulin – 7.6.06 HoL WA190 & 3.7.06 Vaccines – 14.6.06 HoC 1263W HoL WA4 Diamorphine – 21.6.06 HoL WA91, 22.6.06 HoC 2096W Identity Cards & 18.7.06 HoC 374W Biometric Registration – 29.6.06 HoC 627W Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin – 6.6.06 HoC 581W & Identity Cards – 21.6.06 HoC 2014W & 19.7.06 HoC HoL WA182 & 22.6.06 HoL WA105 Drug Costs – 13.7.06 HoC 2049W 553W EU: Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive – Identity Register – 20.7.06 HoC 609W 17.7.06 HoL WA163 Industry Expert Group on Phase 1 Clinical Trials – 24.7.06 HoC 79WS & HoL WS133 Aerospace – 22.6.06 HoC 2054W Generic Medicines – 14.6.06 HoC 1280W Air Industry – 16.6.06 HoC 1482W Herbal Medicines – 24.7.06 HoC 1104W Environmental Technology Industries – 5.6.06 HoC 223W Insulin Inhalers – 5.7.06 HoC 1222W Green Technologies – 8.6.06 HoC 778W Insulin Products – 5.6.06 HoC 435W Restrictions of Hazardous Substances Directive – 3.7.06 Insulins – 16.6.06 HoC 1553W HoC 864W Macugen – 28.6.06 HoC 461W Medicinal Imports – 13.6.06 HoC 1131W Information Technology Medicine Disposal – 5.6.06 HoC 372W Cyber Security – 21.6.06 HoC 1870W Medicines – 6.6.06 HoC 586W Privacy: Pervasive Computing – 18.7.06 HoL 1117 Medicines: Animal Testing – 5.6.06 HoL WA156, 6.6.06 Software – 17.7.06 HoL WA166 HoL WA182 & 7.6.06 HoL WA193 NHS: Generic Drugs – 20.6.06 HoL WA77 Intellectual Property NovoRapid – 5.6.06 HoC 382W Copyright Infringement – 29.6.06 HoC 525W Opiate Products – 8.6.06 HoC 815W Counterfeit Goods – 29.6.06 HoC 527W Opiate-based Medicines – 5.6.06 HoC 383W Patent Applications – 5.6.06 HoC 233W Paediatric Medicines – debate – 3.7.06 HoL 81 Patents – 8.6.06 HoC 780W Pharmaceuticals – 21.6.06 HoC 1975W Plant Breeding – 4.7.06 HoC 906W Services (NHS) – 13.6.06 HoL WS10 Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights – 13.6.06 HoC Wholesalers – 5.6.06 HoC 27W 1119W Seroxat – 29.6.06 HoC 602W Traditional Knowledge – 12.6.06 HoC 960W TGN 1412 – 6.6.06 HoC 591W International Development Nuclear and Radiation Hazards Bilateral Aid (Water and Sanitation) – 14.6.06 HoC 1228W Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors – 17.7.06 HoC 129W Clean Water – 10.7.06 HoC 1406W & 12.7.06 HoC Atomic Weapons Establishment – 6.6.06 HoC 504W 1830W Cancer: Nuclear Power Stations – 21.6.06 HoL WA85 Developing Countries – 24.7.06 HoC 992W Civil Plutonium and Uranium Stocks – 20.7.06 HoC 54WS Disaster Risk Reduction – 22.6.06 HoC 2053W Energy Review – 25.7.06 HoC 1521W Disasters: Prevention and Recovery – debate – 28.6.06 HoL International Nuclear Fuel Bank – 12.6.06 HoC 1001W 1252 Magnox – 14.7.06 HoL WA154 Genetic Use Restriction Technologies – 25.7.06 HoC Nuclear Decommissioning – 7.6.06 HoC 673W & 8.6.06 1622W HoC 391 International Development – statement – 13.7.06 HoC Nuclear Industry – 21.6.06 HoC 1885W 1492 Material (Transportation) – 13.7.06 HoC 1974W Partners for Water and Sanitation – 20.7.06 HoC 38WS Power – 17.7.06 HoC 138W Rainforests – 25.7.06 HoL WA280 Power Stations – 14.6.06 HoC 1242W, 11.7.06 HoC Sustainable Forestry (Africa) – 12.7.06 HoC 1827W 1713W & HoL 588 Technical Assistance – 24.7.06 HoC 1008W Safety – 5.6.06 HoC 232W Water – 24.7.06 HoC 1009W Safety Directorate – 17.7.06 HoC 139W Access – 20.6.06 HoC 1768W Waste – 14.7.06 HoC 2184W, 24.7.06 HoC 780W & Provision – 29.6.06 HoC 524W 25.7.06 HoC 1496W Sanitation – 26.6.06 HoC 8W Waste Disposal – 6.6.06 HoC 99 Waste (Scotland) – adjournment debate – 19.6.06 Medicines and Drugs HoC 1155 Adverse Drug Reactions – 6.6.06 HoC 577W & 26.6.06 Waste Storage – 5.6.06 HoL 1041 HoC 217W Weapons Testing – 5.6.06 HoC 44W

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 49 Plutonium and Uranium: UK Civil Stocks – 20.7.06 HoL Telecommunications and Broadcasting WS122 Analogue Switch-off – adjournment debate – 6.7.06 HoC Reactor Fuel (Shipping) – 13.7.06 HoC 1975W 323WH Radioactive Waste – 22.6.06 HoC 2038W & 17.7.06 HoC Communications Masts – 24.7.06 HoC 1131W 29W Electrical Fields – 17.7.06 HoC 246W Radon Gas – 20.6.06 HoC 1811W, 21.6.06 HoC 1952W Mobile Telephones – 10.7.06 HoC 1402W & 1487W & 28.6.06 HoC 393W Thorpe Plant – 8.6.06 HoC 781W Transport Waste Strategy – 3.7.06 HoC 869W Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras – 6.6.06 HoC 501W & 8.6.06 HoC 758W Science Policy Bioethanol – 15.6.06 HoC 896 Biodiversity: Global Information Facility – 20.6.06 HoL Biofuel Production – 27.6.06 HoC 257W WA68 Biofuels – 11.7.06 HoL WA100 Centre for Ecology and Hydrology – 22.6.06 HoC 1454 & Biometrics – 12.7.06 HoC 1831W 20.7.06 HoC 574W Car Industry: CARS21 Group – 5.6.06 HoL WA143 Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture – Carbon Dioxide Emissions – 13.6.06 HoC 1114W, 27.6.06 6.6.06 HoC 18WS HoC 242W & 13.7.06 HoC 1970W DNA: Supply of Pathogenic Sequences – 4.7.06 HoL Environmentally Friendly Vehicles – 7.6.06 HoC 30WS & WA32 HoL WS94 Facilities Research Council – 25.7.06 HoC 106WS Human Cloning – 10.7.06 HoC 1519W Low-emission Vehicles – 11.7.06 HoC 1701W Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research – Motorway Surface Noise – 11.7.06 HoC 1701W adjournment debate – 6.7.06 HoC 1085 Road Noise – 20.7.06 HoC 685W Japan/South Korea – 26.6.06 HoC 176W Road Safety: Intelligent Speed Adaptation – 6.6.06 HoL Korea – 27.6.06 HoC 246W WA185 Laboratory Strategy – 20.6.06 HoC 90WS & HoL WS41 Stopping Distances – 24.7.06 HoC 753W Natural England – 24.7.06 HoC 722W Vehicles: Electromagnetic Compatability Testing – 18.7.06 NESTA – 17.7.06 HoC 102W HoL WA176 New Technologies – 21.6.06 HoC 1882W Research – Defra – 5.7.06 HoC 1143W Waste Policy Research Programme (DoH) – 28.6.06 HoC 465W Agricultural Waste – 5.6.06 HoC 145W & 29.6.06 HoC 620W Belvedere Energy from Waste Power Station – 15.6.06 HoC Public-Private Forum on Identity Management – 11.7.06 74WS & HoL WS24 HoC 59WS & HoL WS38 Bottle Production – 13.6.06 HoC 1059W Research and Development Tax Credits – 12.7.06 HoC Landfill – 25.7.06 HoC 1494W 1844W Mobile Phones – 12.6.06 HoC 894W Budget (Home Office) – 29.6.06 HoC 654W Packaging – 20.6.06 HoC 1823W Large Facilities Council – 25.7.06 HoL WS170 Plastic Bags – 12.7.06 HoC 1854W Science and Innovation – 15.6.06 HoC 883 & 895 Recycling – 5.6.06 HoC 156W, 13.6.06 HoC 1063W, Centres – 20.7.06 HoC 651W 20.6.06 HoC 1824W & 28.6.06 HoC 393W City Initiative – 22.6.06 HoC 2030W Waste – 14.7.06 HoC 2191W Funding (North-East) – 15.6.06 HoC 888 Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive – Scientific Advisory Committees – 13.6.06 HoL WA20 25.7.06 HoC 107WS & HoL WS172 Research (Defra) – 4.7.06 HoC 900W Management – 13.6.06 HoC 1064W, 21.6.06 HoC Small Business Research Initiative – 12.6.06 HoC 881W 1911W & HoC 1993W & 3.7.06 HoC 748W UK Hydrographic Office – 15.6.06 HoC 962 Prevention – 5.6.06 HoC 167W Space Reduction – 5.6.06 HoC 167W China – 5.7.06 HoC 1069W Galileo Project – 7.6.06 HoC 623W Water Galileo System – 5.6.06 HoC 169W Drinking Water (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) – 20.7.06 HoC Outer Space Treaty – 26.6.06 HoC 181W 578W Fluoridation – 11.7.06 HoC 1806W Sustainable Development National Water Grid – 6.7.06 HoC 1289W Amazon Deforestation – 22.6.06 HoC 2143W Water – 4.7.06 HoC 990W & 14.7.06 HoC 2193W Food Production and Retail – 22.6.06 HoC 1445 Abstraction – 21.6.06 HoL WA94 Palm Oil – 6.7.06 HoC 1290W & 14.7.06 HoC 2184W Fluoridation – 5.6.06 HoC 392W Sustainable Development – 21.6.06 HoC 1873W & Resources – 22.6.06 HoC 1460 25.7.06 HoL WA270 Services – 16.6.06 HoC 1447W Food Strategy – 3.7.06 HoC 747W Supplies – 14.6.06 HoC 1212W

Progress of Legislation before Parliament A comprehensive list of Public Bills before Parliament, sitting in the Weekly Information Bulletin, which can be giving up-to-date information on their progress through found at: Parliament, is published regularly when Parliament is http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmwib.htm

50 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Euro-News Commentary on science and technology within the European Parliament and the Commission

International Thermonuclear Experimental property management and team working; greater Reactor (ITER) construction agreed participation for older people; best students given access The ITER is the word’s largest scientific project and the to support schemes regardless of background; review of partners ended years of negotiation on 24 May 2006, by university funding systems; and give universities more agreeing to start construction of the fusion reactor at autonomy in developing curricula and in selecting Cadarache, France in 2007. The project brings together teaching and research staff. the EU, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States, together representing more than half of the Security research in FP7 world’s population in an ambitious attempt to investigate This is the first time that security research has had a fusion as a new source of energy, in theory both green budget of its own within the EU’s research programmes, and limitless. The reactor will reproduce the fusion with appeals for EU spending on security research to reaction that occurs in the Sun and stars. When the treble to €300 million as soon as possible. European nuclei of small atoms come together at very high security research should contribute to the development of temperatures, they fuse, producing huge amounts of telecommunication systems on the basis of common energy. To recreate this effect on Earth, the reaction needs standards. The next generation of reconnaissance temperatures above 100 000 000ºC. At these satellites should therefore be a common European temperatures, solid structures would be instantly system, open to all Member States at the European vaporised. Powerful magnetic fields keep the particles Satellite Centre in Torrejon, Spain. away from the walls of the container to prevent any vaporisation and to minimise heat loss. EU and south-east Asia discuss ICT Both parts of the world have a lot of good researchers, Better opportunities for SMEs in FP7 and sharing results is of utmost importance for progress SMEs are vital to the European economy, with in both directions. For example, at Singapore’s national approximately 25 million of them accounting for close to library users are able to download available e-books in a two thirds of Europe’s employment and GDP. In the Sixth pdf format, or onto their personal digital assistants. The Framework Programme (FP6) just 22% of SME e-books are encrypted so that if they are not “returned” proposals considered to be of a very high standard before the due date, they will automatically expire and be received funding whereas a total of 50% of projects of unreadable. Users are unable to print the books. that standard received funding. The current EU contribution to industry participants is 50% of the total European Institute of Technology (EIT) cost of the project. Under FP7 proposals designed to timetable develops increase SME participation include simplification of the The League of European research Universities (LERU) has rules, procedures and administration for applicants. The previously been strongly critical of the EIT concept, but EU contribution would increase to 70% for projects welcomed the latest communication on the proposal involving SMEs. which allows for far greater flexibility in the way that the knowledge communities will operate. However LERU Commission calls for overhaul of university remains sceptical about the plan for the EIT to award its system own degrees, and still has the concern that the ERC will Europe’s education systems remain hampered by lose funding to the EIT. An impact assessment will be obstacles, many of which are decades old. Nine new presented later this year followed by a formal proposal proposals have been prepared by the Commissioner for that will cover issues such as the location of the Education and Training, Jan Figel. These should include Governing Board and the institute’s budget. It is hoped students spending at least one semester abroad; access to that the legal instrument establishing the EIT will have national loans and grants wherever students study or been brought into application by 2008. The Governing undertake research in the EU; harmonisation of EU Board will then be appointed in early 2009, allowing the degrees which are aligned with professional first knowledge communities to be identified and set up qualifications; research career training in intellectual in time for the 2009/10 academic year. European Union - Digest

The references are to the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJ), Adopted Legislation from the L Series (OJL) and Proposals and Opinions from the C Series (OJC).

Agriculture 2006/63: control of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Commission Directives: Yabuuchi et al – OJ L206(p36)27.7.06 2006/56: control of potato ring rot – OJ Commission Decisions: L182(P1)4.7.06 2006/390: cadmium in fertilisers – OJ L150(p17)3.6.06

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 51 Animals and Veterinary Matters Aviation Council Decision 2006/403: protection of vertebrate Commission Regulations: animals used for experimental and other scientific 831/2006: common basic standards on aviation purposes – OJ L156(p12)9.6.06 security – OJ L150(p4)3.6.06 Commission Regulations: 1032/2006: exchange of flight data – OJ 1041/2006: transmissible spongiform encephalopathies L186(p27)7.7.06 in ovine animals – OJ L187(p10)8.7.06 1033/2006: pre-flight plans for the single European sky 1168/2006: target for reduction of certain salmonella – OJ L186(p46)7.7.06 serotypes in laying hens – OJ L211(p4)1.8.06 Climate Change 1177/2006: control of salmonella in poultry – OJ Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee: effects L212(p3)2.8.06 on industrial change of international agreements to 1284/2006: authorisation of certain additives in reduce greenhouse gas emissions– OJ C185(p62)8.8.06 feedingstuffs – OJ L235(p3)30.8.06 Commission Decisions: Chemicals 2006/384: outbreaks of avian influenza – OJ Commission Decisions: L148(p53)2.6.06 2006/540: allocation of quantities of controlled 2006/391: classical swine fever in Germany – OJ substances – OJ L214(p35)4.8.06 L150(p24)3.6.06 2006/573: appointing members of the Scientific 2006/393: Community reference laboratory for foot- Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to and-mouth disease – OJ L152(p31)7.6.06 Chemical Agents – OJ L228(p22)22.8.06 2006/396: avian influenza in Romania – OJ Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee: L152(p36)7.6.06 perfluorooctane sulfonates – OJ C195(p10)18.8.06 2006/405: protection measures in relation to avian Education and Training influenza – OJ L158(p14)10.6.06 Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on 2006/427: monitoring cattle’s genetic value for breeding transnational mobility within the Community for animals – OJ L169(p56)22.6.06 education and training – OJ C206(p40)29.8.06 2006/435: avian influenza in poultry in Romania – OJ Energy and Nuclear Industries L173(p31)27.6.06 Council Decision 2006/500: Energy Community Treaty 2006/437: approving a Diagnostic Manual for avian – OJ L198(p15)20.7.06 influenza – OJ L237(p1)31.8.06 Commission Information: verification of environmental 2006/438: vaccination against avian influenza in France radioactivity monitoring factilities in member states – – OJ L174(p7)28.6.06 OJ C155(p2)4.7.06 2006/474: measures to prevent the spread of avian Opinion of the Committee of the Regions: Green Paper influenza in zoos – OJ L187(p37)8.7.06 on Energy Efficiency – OJ C192(p12)16.8.06 2006/501: protection measures in relation to Newcastle Call for Proposals under the Intelligent Energy – disease in Romania – OJ L198(p38)20.7.06 Europe Programme – OJ C130(p11)3.6.06 2006/506: protection measures in relation to avian influenza in poultry in the Community – OJ Environment L199(p36)21.7.06 Council Regulation 1195/2006: persistent organic 2006/521: protection measures in relation to avian pollutants – OJ L217(p1)8.8.06 influenza – OJ L205(p26)27.7.06 Council Decision 2006/507: Stockholm Convention 2006/522: protection measures in relation to avian on Persistent Organic Pollutants –OJ L209(p1)31.7.06 influenza and movements of live birds into the Commission Regulation 865/2006: protection of Community – OJ L205(p28)27.7.06 species of wild fauna and flora – OJ L166(p1)19.6.06 2006/527: financing of studies covering food safety, Opinions: animal health and zootechnics – OJ L208(p37)29.7.06 Economic and Social Committee on floods – OJ 2006/528: preventive vaccination against avian C195(p37)18.8.06 influenza in the Netherlands – OJ L208(p39)29.7.06 Committee of the Regions on air pollution – OJ 2006/532: protection measures in relation to avian C206(p1)29.8.06 influenza in South Africa – OJ L212(p16)2.8.06 Fisheries 2006/533: protection measures in relation to avian Council Regulations: influenza in Croatia – OJ L212(p19)2.8.06 861/2006: financial measures for the common fisheries 2006/552: laboratories authorised to handle live foot- policy – OJ L160(p1)14.6.06 and-mouth disease virus for vaccine production – OJ 941/2006: blue whiting and herring – OJ L217(p29)8.8.06 L173(p1)27.6.06 2006/563: protection measures against avian influenza Commission Regulations: in wild birds – OJ L222(p11)15.8.06 837/2006: prohibition of fishing for Greenland halibut 2006/553: vaccine against classical swine fever – OJ in certain waters by Spanish vessels – OJ L217(p31)8.8.06 L152(p9)7.6.06 2006/571: protection measures in relation to Newcastle 846/2006: prohibition of fishing for cod in certain disease in Bulgaria – OJ L227(p58)19.8.06 waters by Portuguese vessels – OJ L156(p6)9.6.06 2006/572: restricted zones in relation to bluetongue in 864/2006: prohibiting fishing for alfonsinos in certain Spain and Portugal – OJ L227(p60)19.8.06 waters by French vessels –OJ L160(p17)14.6.06 2006/574: risk mitigating measures against avian 898/2006: catch limits and fishing effort limitations on influenza – OJ L228(p24)22.8.06 sandeel in certain waters – OJ L167(p16)20.6.06 2006/577: protective measures against bluetongue – OJ 946/2006: prohibiting fishing for sprat in certain waters L229(p10)23.8.06 by German vessels – OJ L173(p13)27.6.06

52 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 1019/2006: prohibiting fishing for greater forkbeard in Council Conclusions: certain waters by French vessels – OJ L183(p13)5.7.06 European Union Health Systems – OJ C146(p1)22.6.06 1020/2006: prohibiting fishing for blue ling in certain Promotion of healthy lifestyles – OJ C147(p1)23.6.06 waters by Spanish vessels – OJ L183(p15)5.7.06 Women’s health – OJ C146(p4)22.6.06 1042/2006: conservation and sustainable exploitation Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee: review of fisheries resources – OJ L187(p14)8.7.06 of medical device directives – OJ C195(p14)18.8.06 1091/2006: prohibiting fishing for sandeel in certain Summaries of Community decisions on marketing waters – OJ L195(p9)15.7.06 authorisations for medicinal products during June 2006 1115/2006: common marketing standards for certain – OJ C176(p19&24)28.7.06 fresh or chilled fish – OJ L199(p6)21.7.06 Plants and their Protection Products 1116/2006: prohibiting fishing for anchovy in certain Commission Directives: waters – OJ L199(p8)21.7.06 2006/41: including clothianidin and perhoxamid as 1208/2006: prohibiting fishing for mackerel in certain active substances – OJ L187(p24)8.7.06 waters by UK vessels – OJ L219(p10)10.8.06 2006/53: maximum residue levels of certain chemicals 1209/2006: prohibiting fishing for blue ling in certain – OJ L154(p11)8.6.06 waters by UK vessels – OJ L219(p12)10.8.06 2006/60, 2006/61, 2006/62 and 2006/64: including 1223/2006: prohibiting fishing for redfish in certain several chemicals as active substances – OJ waters by Spanish vessels – OJ L221(p5)12.8.06 L206(p1,12,27&107)27.7.06 1259/2006: catch limits for Norway pout in certain 2006/74: including dichlorprop-P, metconazole, waters – OJ L229(p3)23.8.06 pyrimethanil and triclopyr as active substances – OJ 1262/2006: vessels engaged in illegal, unreported and L235(p17)30.8.06 unregulated fisheries – OJ L230(p4)24.8.06 Commission Regulation 1192/2006: approved plants in 1292/2006: prohibiting fishing for cod in Norwegian Member States – OJ L215(p10)5.8.06 waters by Spanish vessels – OJ L236(p22)31.8.06 Commission Decisions: 1293/2006: prohibiting fishing for anglerfish in 2006/409: authorisations for profoxydim – OJ Norwegian waters by German vessels – OJ L159(p15)13.6.06 L236(p24)31.8.06 2006/517: information on metaflumizone – OJ 1294/2006: prohibiting fishing for tusk in Norwegian L201(p34)25.7.06 waters by German vessels – OJ L236(p26)31.8.06 2006/564 and Commission Recommendation Commission Decisions 2006/565: measures to prevent the spread of Diabrotica 2006/461: allocation to the UK of additional fishing virgifera Le Conte in the Community – OJ days in certain waters – OJ L180(p25)4.7.06 L225(p28&30)17.8.06 2006/559: areas excluded from approved zones with 2006/584: new active substance beflubutamid – OJ regard to Bonamia ostreae and/or Marteilia refringens – L234(p41)29.8.06 OJ L219(p28)10.8.06 Judgment of the Court: limitation of fishing for cod – Science Policy OJ C131(p7)3.6.06 Commission Regulation 1104/2006: access to confidential data for scientific purposes – OJ Food and Foodstuffs L197(p3)19.7.06 Council Directive 2006/52: food additives – OJ Commission Decision 2006/429: bodies whose L204(p10)26.7.06 researchers may access confidential data for scientific Commission Regulations: purposes – OJ L172(p17)24.6.06 1055/2006: maximum residue limits of flubendazole Opinions of the Economic and Social Committee: and lasalocid in foodstuffs of animal origin – OJ 7th Framework Programme – OJ C185(p10)8.8.06 L192(p3)13.7.06 Five-year assessment of Community research activities 1231/2006: maximum residue limits of ceftiofur and – OJ C195(p1)18.8.06 polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and trioleate in Nanosciences and nanotechnologies – OJ foodstuffs of animal origin – OJ L225(p3)17.8.06 C185(p1)8.8.06 Commission Decisions: Opinion of the Court of Auditors on rules for the 2006/504: contamination of certain foodstuffs imported participation of organisations in the Seventh from third countries by aflatoxins – OJ Framework Programme and the dissemination of L199(p21)21.7.06 research results – OJ C203(p1)25.8.06 2006/578: non-authorised genetically modified organism LL RICE 601 in rice products – OJ Sustainable Development L230(p8)24.8.06 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the Sustainable Development Strategy review – OJ IT, Telecommunications and Broadcasting C195(p29)18.8.06 Commission Regulation 1031/2006: Community statistics on the information society – OJ Transport L186(p11)7.7.06 Council Decision 2006/444: mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles – OJ Marine and Maritime L181(p53)4.7.06 Opinions: Commission Directive 2006/51: emission control Economic and Social Committee: Marine monitoring system for vehicles – OJ L152(p11)7.6.06 Environmental Policy – OJ C185(p20)8.8.06 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee: the Committee of the Regions: Marine Environmental promotion of clean road transport vehicles – OJ Policy – OJ C206(p5)29.8.06 C195(p26)18.8.06 Pharmaceuticals and Public Health Council Regulation 816/2006: patents for manufacture Waste of pharmaceutical products for export to countries with Council Regulation 1013/2006 on shipments of waste – public health problems –OJ L157(p1)9.6.06 OJ L190(p1)12.7.06

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 53 Volume 63 Numbers 1-4 Index - Science in Parliament 2006 ISSN 0263-6271

Opinions Climate change in earth history Summer 2 Lord Rees of Ludlow Spring 1 A Mission for Innovation Summer 4 Dr Brian Iddon MP Spring 2 The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Summer 6 Professor Mark Walport Spring 2 The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution Summer 8 Dame Deirdre Hutton Spring 4 Parallel Medicines Distribution Summer 10 Baroness Sharp of Guildford Whit 1 Breeding and Welfare in Companion Animals Summer 12 Dr Ian Gibson MP Whit 2 The Importance of Clean Coal Technology Summer 24 Dr Bob Spink MP Summer 1 What is the Cost of Climate Change? Summer 35 Baroness Greenfield Summer 3 Changes in 25 years of Computing Autumn 4 Claire Curtis-Thomas MP Autumn 2 Being NICE: making the best use of our health resource Autumn 6 Phil Willis MP Autumn 3 Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester Autumn 8 Professor Sir David King Autumn 5 Enriching the Science Learning Experience Autumn 10 Science Cities Autumn 12 Front and Back Covers Parliamentary Links Day Autumn 30 Pharmacology: BPS 75th Anniversary Spring 30 School Meals Autumn xx Living Kidney Donation Spring 32 Energy Review Autumn xx Antarctica – A Continent for Peace and Science Whit 10 CCLRC Knowledge Transfer Whit 12 FCO Science and Innovation Low Carbon Power with Carbon Capture & Sequestration Summer 14 Berlin Spring 7 Britain’s Young Researchers Summer 16 Washington DC Whit 31 Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award Autumn 14 Beijing Summer 33 Masonry Homes: CO2 impact Autumn 16 Singapore Autumn 33 State of the Nation 2006 Autumn 18 Book Review Addresses to the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee Not in our Back Yard Spring 41 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Chernobyl – Catastrophe and Consequences Summer 34 Lord Walton of Detchant Spring 8 The Ageing Countryside Autumn 32 Professor Stephen Holgate Spring 10 David Tredinnick MP Spring 12 POST Papers From the Green to the Gene Revolution Science in Court Spring 37 Norman E Borlaug Spring 14 Household Energy Efficiency Spring 37 Risk Management The 24-Hour Society Spring 37 Professor Susan Owens Spring 16 Sustaining Fisheries Spring 37 Sir Colin Berry Spring 18 Recycling Household Waste Spring 37 Professor Ragnar Löfstedt Spring 20 Cleaner Coal Spring 37 Importance of Science Engineering & Technology to Africa Farmland Wildlife Spring 37 Sir Crispin Tickell Spring 22 Low Carbon Private Vehicles Whit 37 Frank Rijsberman Spring 24 Århus Convention Whit 37 Richard C Carter Spring 26 Healthy Life Expectancy Whit 37 Sir Gordon Conway Spring 28 The National DNA Database Whit 37 Hospitals of the Future Balancing Water Supply & the Environment Whit 37 Sir Richard Sykes Whit 14 Debating Science Whit 37 Prof Sir Ara Darzi Whit 15 ICT in Developing Countries Whit 37 Prof Richard Kitney Whit 17 UK Civil Space Activities Summer 39 Susan Grant Whit 20 Pervasive Computing Summer 39 Annual Lunch: Lord Rees of Ludlow Whit 22 Analogue to digital TV switchover Autumn 40 Science and Society UK Soil degradation Autumn 40 Dr Vicky Robinson Whit 25 Children's medicines Autumn 40 Dr Brian Iddon MP, Dr Charles Eaton & Paul Abbott Whit 26 Adapting to climate change in the UK Autumn 40 Prof Kathy Sykes Whit 27 Carbon footprint of electricity generation Autumn 40 Prof Alison Murdoch Whit 28 Computer Crime Autumn 40 Lord Oxburgh Whit 29 Data Encryption Autumn 40 Our Energy Futures for Secure & Sustainable Power Climate change in developing countries Autumn 40 Dr J M Farley Summer 18 Allan Jones Summer 20 House of Commons Library Research Papers Michael Connarty MP Summer 22 The Health Bill: Part 1 Smokefree premises etc Spring 40 Science in Court: Expert Witnesses The Animal Welfare Bill Spring 40 Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws Summer 26 The Merchant Shipping (Pollution) Bill Whit 35 James Badenoch Summer 28 The Commons Bill Whit 35 Prof Robert Forrest Summer 30 Human Reproductive Technologies Summaries of Debates Professor Lord Winston Autumn 20 Forensic Sciences Spring 42 Professor Peter Braude Autumn 22 Science and Technology Spring 43 Open Access Publishing UK Space Policy Spring 43 Professor Mark Walport Autumn 24 Scientific Publications: Free for all? Spring 45 Robert Campbell Autumn 26 Post-doctoral Scientific Careers Whit 38 Professor David Nicholas Autumn 28 Terminator Seed Technology Whit 39 Dr Ian Rowands Autumn 28 Pandemic Influenza Whit 40 Nuclear Power Whit 41 Special Articles Renewable Energy Whit 42 Personal data for Public Good Spring 5 Education: Science & Technology Summer 41 Hurricanes, Typhoons and Tropical Cyclones Spring 34 Universities: Research & Development Summer 42 Yet more “Super Bugs”? Whit 3 Science (UK Universities) Summer 43 Counterfeiting of Medicines Whit 4 Energy Efficiency Summer 44 Building Capacity for Ecology Fund Whit 7 Forensic Science Summer 45 City Learning Centres Whit 8 Ageing (S&T Report) Autumn 41 Making an Impact Whit 30 Estimates 2006-07: Department of Health Autumn 42 Prevent neural tube defects by fortifying flour Whit 32 Engineering Training Autumn 43 Voice of the Future Whit 33 Wind Power Autumn 44 Wind Energy Autumn 44

54 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Science Directory DIRECTORY INDEX

Aerospace and Aviation Chemistry British Association for the University of Newcastle upon Tyne SEMTA CCLRC Advancement of Science The Nutrition Society University of East Anglia British Ecological Society Royal Society of Chemistry Agriculture Institution of Chemical Engineers British Pharmacological Society SCI BBSRC LGC British Society for Antimicrobial Society for General Microbiology CABI Bioscience University of Leeds Chemotherapy Campden & Chorleywood Food London Metropolitan Polymer CABI Bioscience Forensics Research Association Centre Campden & Chorleywood Food LGC Royal Society of Chemistry Institute of Biology University of Newcastle upon Tyne Research Association LGC Royal Institution Clifton Scientific Trust Royal Society of Chemistry Economic and Social Research Genetics University of Newcastle upon Tyne ABPI SCI SCI Council Engineering and Physical Sciences BBSRC Society for General Microbiology University of East Anglia UFAW Colloid Science Research Council London Metropolitan Polymer Institute of Biology HFEA LGC Animal Health and Welfare, Centre Institute of Mathematics and its Royal Society of Chemistry Applications University of Newcastle upon Tyne Veterinary Research Institute of Physics ABPI Construction and Building Institution of Chemical Engineers Geographical Information Academy of Medical Sciences Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Engineering and Systems British Veterinary Association London Metropolitan Polymer Technology University of East Anglia Cefas Centre LGC University of Leeds The Nutrition Society University of Newcastle upon Tyne London Metropolitan Polymer UFAW SCI Centre Geology and Geoscience AMSI NESTA University of East Anglia Astronomy and Space Science Cosmetic Science University of Newcastle upon Tyne Institution of Civil Engineers CCLRC Society of Cosmetic Scientists Royal Institution Natural Environment Research PPARC The Royal Society Council Earth Sciences Royal Statistical Society Atmospheric Sciences, Climate University of East Anglia SEMTA and Weather Hazard and Risk Mitigation University of Leeds Institution of Chemical Engineers CCLRC Natural England Energy University of East Anglia CCLRC Health Natural Environment Research Ecology, Environment and Institution of Chemical Engineers ABPI Council Biodiversity Institution of Civil Engineers Biochemical Society University of Newcastle upon Tyne AMSI Institution of Engineering and Academy of Medical Sciences British Ecological Society Technology British Pharmacological Society Biotechnology CABI Bioscience University of Newcastle upon Tyne British Society for Antimicrobial BBSRC Cefas SCI Chemotherapy Biochemical Society University of East Anglia University of East Anglia Campden & Chorleywood Food Economic and Social Research Engineering Economic and Social Research Research Association Council CCLRC Council University of East Anglia Environment Agency Engineering and Physical Sciences HFEA Institute of Biology Freshwater Biological Association Research Council Institute of Physics and Engineering LGC Institute of Biology Institution of Chemical Engineers in Medicine University of Leeds Institution of Chemical Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers LGC National Physical Laboratory Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Engineering and Medical Research Council University of Newcastle upon Tyne LGC Technology University of Newcastle upon Tyne Royal Society of Chemistry University of Leeds University of Leeds The Nutrition Society Natural England London Metropolitan Polymer SCI Royal Institution Natural Environment Research Centre Society for General Microbiology Royal Society of Chemistry Council Royal Academy of Engineering Society for General Microbiology University of Newcastle upon Tyne SCI Brain Research Royal Botanic Gardens Kew SEMTA Heart Research ABPI Royal Society of Chemistry ABPI Merck Sharp & Dohme SCI Fisheries Research University of Newcastle upon Tyne Society for General Microbiology AMSI Hydrocarbons and Petroleum University of Surrey Cefas University of Newcastle upon Tyne Cancer Research Freshwater Biological Association Royal Society of Chemistry ABPI Economic and Social Research University of East Anglia Economic and Social Research Food and Food Technology Industrial Policy and Research University of Leeds Council CABI Bioscience AIRTO University of Newcastle upon Tyne University of Leeds Campden & Chorleywood Food CCLRC University of Newcastle upon Tyne Research Association Economic and Social Research Catalysis Institute of Biology Council University of East Anglia Education, Training and Skills Institution of Chemical Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Chemical Engineers ABPI LGC Royal Academy of Engineering Royal Society of Chemistry Academy of Medical Sciences University of Leeds SCI

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 55 Information Services Motor Vehicles Public Policy The Science Council AIRTO University of Leeds British Society for Antimicrobial UFAW CABI Bioscience London Metropolitan Polymer Chemotherapy Centre Economic and Social Research Seed Protection IT, Internet, Telecommunications, SEMTA Council CABI Bioscience Computing and Electronics HFEA CCLRC Oceanography NESTA Sensors and Transducers University of East Anglia AMSI Prospect AMSI Engineering and Physical Sciences Cefas CCLRC Research Council Natural Environment Research Public Understanding of Science Institution of Engineering and Council Academy of Medical Sciences SSSIs Technology Biochemical Society Natural England University of Leeds Oil British Association for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew University of Newcastle upon Tyne Institution of Chemical Engineers Advancement of Science University of Surrey LGC British Society for Antimicrobial Statistics Chemotherapy Royal Statistical Society Particle Physics Intellectual Property Clifton Scientific Trust CCLRC ABPI University of East Anglia Surface Science University of Leeds Engineering and Physical Sciences CCLRC The Chartered Institute of Patent PPARC Attorneys Research Council HFEA Sustainability NESTA Patents University of Newcastle upon Tyne Institute of Biology British Ecological Society The Chartered Institute of Patent Institute of Physics CABI Bioscience Attorneys Institution of Chemical Engineers Cefas Large-Scale Research Facilities NESTA Campden & Chorleywood Food Institution of Engineering and University of East Anglia Research Association Technology Environment Agency Pharmaceuticals Medical Research Council Institution of Chemical Engineers CCLRC ABPI London Metropolitan Polymer NESTA Institution of Civil Engineers British Pharmacological Society Prospect London Metropolitan Polymer Centre British Society for Antimicrobial PPARC Royal Academy of Engineering Centre Chemotherapy Royal Institution Natural England University of East Anglia The Royal Society University of Newcastle upon Tyne Lasers Institution of Chemical Engineers Royal Society of Chemistry SCI CCLRC LGC Merck Sharp & Dohme Quality Management Technology Transfer Management Royal Society of Chemistry Campden & Chorleywood Food CABI Bioscience University of Leeds SCI Research Association Campden & Chorleywood Food Physical Sciences LGC Research Association Manufacturing CCLRC ABPI Cavendish Laboratory Engineering and Physical Sciences Radiation Hazards LGC AMSI Cefas University of Leeds Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council London Metropolitan Polymer HPA Radiation Protection Division London Metropolitan Polymer Research Council Centre University of Leeds Centre National Physical Laboratory Retail NESTA London Metropolitan Polymer Marks and Spencer National Physical Laboratory Centre PPARC SCI Physics Satellite Engineering Tropical Medicine University of Surrey Society for General Microbiology Materials Cavendish Laboratory Institute of Physics CCLRC University of Leeds Science Policy Viruses University of Leeds National Physical Laboratory ABPI ABPI London Metropolitan Polymer PPARC Academy of Medical Sciences Society for General Microbiology Centre Biochemical Society National Physical Laboratory Physiology British Association for the Water University of Leeds Advancement of Science AMSI Mathematics British Pharmacological Society Campden & Chorleywood Food Institute of Mathematics and its Pollution and Waste Cefas Research Association Applications ABPI Clifton Scientific Trust Cefas University of Leeds AMSI Economic and Social Research University of East Anglia CABI Bioscience Council Environment Agency Medical and Biomedical Research Cefas Engineering and Physical Sciences Freshwater Biological Association ABPI University of East Anglia Research Council Institution of Chemical Engineers Academy of Medical Sciences Environment Agency HFEA Institution of Civil Engineers Biochemical Society Institution of Chemical Engineers Institute of Physics LGC British Pharmacological Society Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Chemical Engineers Royal Society of Chemistry British Society for Antimicrobial London Metropolitan Polymer LGC SCI Chemotherapy Centre Medical Research Council Society for General Microbiology University of East Anglia Natural Environment Research NESTA HFEA Council The Nutrition Society Wildlife University of Leeds University of Newcastle upon Tyne Prospect British Ecological Society Medical Research Council Royal Academy of Engineering University of East Anglia University of Newcastle upon Tyne Psychology Royal Institution Institute of Biology University of Surrey British Psychological Society The Royal Society Natural England UFAW University of Leeds Royal Society of Chemistry UFAW

56 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Association Association Academy of the British of Marine of Medical Pharmaceutical Scientific Industries Sciences Industry Contact: Karen Gray, Secretary Contact: Mrs Mary Manning, Executive Director Contact: Dr Philip Wright Association of Marine Scientific Industries Academy of Medical Sciences 12 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY 4th Floor, 30 Great Guildford Street 10 Carlton House Terrace Tel: 020 7747 1408 London SE1 0HS London SW1Y 5AH Fax: 020 7747 1417 Tel: 020 7928 9199 Fax: 020 7928 6599 Tel: 020 7969 5288 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7969 5298 Website: www.abpi.org.uk Website: www.maritimeindustries.org E-mail: [email protected] The ABPI is the voice of the innovative The Association of Marine Scientific Industries pharmaceutical industry, working with Government, (AMSI) is a constituent association of the Society Website: www.acmedsci.ac.uk regulators and other stakeholders to promote a of Maritime Industries (SMI) representing The Academy of Medical Sciences promotes receptive environment for a strong and progressive companies in the marine science and technology industry in the UK, one capable of providing the best sector, otherwise known as the oceanology sector. advances in medical science and campaigns to medicines to patients. The marine science sector has an increasingly ensure these are converted as quickly as The ABPI’s mission is to represent the pharmaceutical possible into healthcare benefits for society. The industry operating in the UK in a way that: important role to play both in the UK and globally, particularly in relation to the Academy’s eight hundred and fifty Fellows are ● assures patient access to the best available environment, security and defence, resource the United Kingdom’s leading medical scientists medicine; exploitation, and leisure. AMSI represents from hospitals, academia, industry and the ● creates a favourable political and economic manufacturers, researchers, and system suppliers public service. The Academy provides environment; providing a co-ordinated voice and enabling ● encourages innovative research and development; members to project their views and capabilities to independent, authoritative advice on public ● avoids unfair commercial returns a wide audience. policy issues in medical science and healthcare.

AIRTO Biochemical Biotechnology

Contact: Professor Richard Brook Society and Biological AIRTO Ltd: Association of Independent Research & Technology Organisations Limited Contact: Dr Chris Kirk Sciences c/o CCFRA, Station Road, Chipping Campden, Chief Executive, Gloucestershire GL55 6LD. Research Council 16 Procter Street, London WC1V 6NX Tel: 01386 842247 Contact: Dr Monica Winstanley, Tel: 020 7280 4133 Fax: 020 7280 4170 Fax: 01386 842010 Head of External Relations E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue Website: www.airto.co.uk Website: www.biochemistry.org Swindon SN2 1UH. Tel: 01793 413204 AIRTO represents the UK’s independent The Biochemical Society exists to promote and support E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bbsrc.ac.uk research and technology sector - member the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. We have nearly organisations employ a combined staff of over 6000 members in the UK and abroad, mostly research The BBSRC is the UK’s leading funding agency for 10,000 scientists and engineers with a bioscientists in Universities or in Industry. The Society academic research in the non-medical life sciences and is also a major scientific publisher. In addition, we is funded principally through the Science Budget of the turnover in the region of £1.5 billion. Work promote Science Policy debate and provide resources, Office of Science and Innovation. It supports staff in carried out by members includes research, for teachers and pupils, to support the bioscience universities and research institutes throughout the UK, consultancy, training and global information curriculum in schools. Our membership supports our and funds basic and strategic science in: agri-food, monitoring. AIRTO promotes their work by mission by organizing scientific meetings, sustaining animal sciences, biomolecular sciences, biochemistry building closer links between members and our publications through authorship and peer review and cell biology, engineering and biological systems, industry, academia, UK government agencies and by supporting our educational and policy genes and developmental biology, and plant and and the European Union. initiatives. microbial sciences.

British British Association Ecological for the Advancement Society Contact: Nick Dusic, Science Policy Manager Contact: Sarah-Jane Stagg British Ecological Society of Science - the BA British Pharmacological Society 26 Blades Court, Deodar Road, Putney, 16 Angel Gate, City Road Contact: Sir Roland Jackson Bt, Chief Executive London, SW15 2NU London EC1V 2SG The BA, Wellcome Wolfson Building, Tel: 020 8871 9797 Fax : 020 8871 9779 Tel: 020 7417 0113 165 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HD. E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7417 0114 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.BritishEcologicalSociety.org Email: [email protected] Website: www.the-BA.net The British Ecological Society promotes the Website: www.bps.ac.uk The BA is the UK’s nationwide, open membership science of ecology worldwide. The Society has organisation dedicated to connecting people with 4,000 members who are active in advancing the The British Pharmacological Society has now been science, so that science and its applications become science and application of ecology. supporting pharmacology and pharmacologists accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness The BES publishes four internationally renowned for 75 years. Our 2,400 members, from about science in society and to engage and inspire scientific journals and organises the largest academia, industry and clinical practice, are people directly with science and technology and their scientific meeting for ecologists in Europe. The trained to study drug action from the laboratory implications. BES also supports ecologists in developing bench to the patient’s bedside. Our aim is to Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives countries and fieldwork in schools improve the quality of life by developing new across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of through its grants. medicines to treat and prevent the diseases and Science, National Science Week, programmes of The BES informs and advises Parliament and conditions that affect millions of people and regional and local events, and an extensive programme Government on ecological issues and welcomes animals. Inquiries about drugs and how they for young people in schools and colleges. requests for assistance from parliamentarians. work are welcome.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 57 British Society British Veterinary The for Antimicrobial Association British Chemotherapy Contact:Chrissie Nicholls 7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ Psychological Society Contact: Tracey Guest, Executive Officer Tel: 020 7636 6541 British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Contact: Christine O’Rourke Fax: 020 7637 4769 11 The Wharf, 16 Bridge Street, Parliamentary Officer E-mail:[email protected] Birmingham B1 2JS. The British Psychological Society www.bva.co.uk St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East Tel: 0121 633 0410 BVA’s chief interests are: Fax: 0121 643 9497 Leicester LE1 7DR * Standards of animal health Tel: 0116 252 9917 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bsac.org.uk * Veterinary surgeons’ working practices Fax: 0116 252 9929 * Professional standards and quality of service E mail: [email protected] Founded in 1971, and with 800 members * Relationships with external bodies, particulary Website: www.bps.org.uk worldwide, the Society exists to facilitate the government acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in The British Psychological Society is an the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The BVA carries out three main functions which are: organisation of over 42,000 members governed BSAC publishes the Journal of Antimicrobial * Policy development in areas affecting the by Royal Charter. It maintains the Register of profession Chartered Psychologists, publishes books, 10 Chemotherapy (JAC), internationally renowned for primary science Journals and organises its scientific excellence, undertakes a range of * Protecting and promoting the profession in conferences. Requests for information about educational activities, awards grants for research matters propounded by government and other psychology and psychologists from and has active relationships with its peer groups external bodies parliamentarians are welcome. and government. * Provision of services to members

Campden & Cavendish Chorleywood Laboratory CABI Food Research The Administrative Secretary, The Cavendish Laboratory, Contact: Dr Joan Kelley, Executive J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK. Director, CABI Association E-mail: [email protected] http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY Contact: Prof Colin Dennis, Director-General Tel: 01491 829306 Fax: 01491 829100 CCFRA, Chipping Campden, The Cavendish Laboratory houses the Department of Physics of Email: [email protected] Gloucestershire GL55 6LD. the University of Cambridge. Tel: 01386 842000 Fax: 01386 842100 Website: www.cabi.org Its world-class research is focused in a number of experimental E-mail: [email protected] and theoretical diverse fields. Website: www.campden.co.uk CABI brings together and applies scientific Astrophysics: Millimetre astronomy, optical interferometry A independent, membership-based industrial research observations & instrumentation. Astrophysics, geometric information and expertise to improve people’s association providing substantial R&D, processing, algebra, maximum entropy, neutral networks. lives. Founded in 1910, CABI is owned by over analytical hygiene, best practice, training, auditing and High Energy Physics: LEP, SPS & future LHC experiments. 40 member countries. Today CABI publishes HACCP services for the food chain worldwide. Members include growers, processors, retailers, Detector development. Particle physics theory. books, journals and scientific outputs, carries caterers, distributors, machinery manufacturers, out scientific research and consultancies to find Condensed Matter Physics: Semiconductor physics, quantum government departments and enforcement authorities. effect devices, nanolithography. Superconductivity, magnetic sustainable solutions to agricultural and Employs over 300; serves over 2,000 member sites; thin films. Optoelectronics, conducting polymers. Biological and has a subsidiary company in Hungary. Activities environmental issues and develops innovative Soft Systems. Polymers and Colloids. Surface physics, fracture, ways to communicate science to many different focus on safety, quality, efficiency and innovation. Participates in DTI’s Faraday Partnerships and wear & erosion. Amorphous solids. Electron microscopy. audiences. Activities range from assisting Electronic structure theory & computation. Structural phase national policy makers, informing worldwide collaborates with universities on LINK projects and studentships, transferring practical knowledge transitions, fractals, quantum Monte Carlo calculations research, to supporting farmers in the field. between industry and academia. Biological Physics.

Chartered Clifton Institute of Scientific Patent Attorneys Trust Centre for Environment, Contact: Michael Ralph - Contact: Dr Eric Albone Fisheries & Aquaculture Science Secretary & Registrar Clifton Scientific Trust The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BA Contact: Anne McClarnon, Communications 95 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1DT Tel: 0117 924 7664 Fax: 0117 924 7664 Manager Tel: 020 7405 9450 E-mail: [email protected] Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT Fax: 020 7430 0471 Website: www.clifton-scientific.org Tel: 01502 56 2244 E-mail: [email protected] Science for Citizenship and Employability, Fax: 01502 51 3865 Website: www.cipa.org.uk Science for Life, Science for Real E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cefas.co.uk CIPA’s members practise in intellectual property, We build grass-roots partnerships between especially patents, trade marks, designs, and school and the wider world of professional Cefas offers multidisciplinary scientific research science and its applications and consultancy for fisheries management and copyright, either in private partnerships or • for young people of all ages and abilities aquaculture, plus environmental monitoring and industrial companies. CIPA maintains the assessments. Government at all levels, statutory Register. It advises government and • experiencing science as a creative, questioning, human activity international institutions (EU, UN, World Bank) international circles on policy issues and • bringing school science added meaning and and clients worldwide have used Cefas services provides information services, promoting the for over 100 years. Three laboratories with the notivation, from primary to post-16 latest facilities, plus Cefas’ own ocean-going benefits to UK industry of obtaining IP • locally, nationally, internationally (currently research vessel, underpin the delivery of high- protection, and to overseas industry of using between Britain and Japan) quality science and advice to policy-makers. British agents to obtain international protection. Clifton Scientific Trust Ltd is registered charity 1086933

58 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Council University Economic and for the of East Anglia Social Research Central Laboratory Contact: UEA Press Office Council of the Research University of East Anglia Contact: Lesley Lilley, Senior Policy Councils Norwich, NR4 7TJ Manager, Knowledge Transfer, Tel: 01603 592203 Economic and Social Research Council, Contact: Natalie Bealing Fax: 01603 259883 Polaris House, North Star Avenue, CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory E-mail: [email protected] Swindon SN2 1UJ Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX Website: www.uea.ac.uk Tel: 01793 413033 Fax 01793 413130 CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory [email protected] Daresbury, Cheshire, WA4 4AD From award-winning technology translating http://www.esrc.ac.uk Tel: 01235 445484 Fax: 01235 446665 speech into sign language, to internationally- The ESRC is the UK’s leading research and training E-mail: [email protected] renowned climate research, and from the Website: www.cclrc.ac.uk agency addressing economic and social concerns. We intricacies of diseases such as cancer to the pursue excellence in social science research; work to The CCLRC is the UK’s strategic agency for scientific large-scale hazards of earthquakes and increase the impact of our research policy and research facilities. It also supports leading-edge science volcanoes, UEA scientists are carrying out practice; and provide trained social scientists who and technology by providing world-class, large-scale world-class research and teaching. A strongly meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, thereby experimental facilities. These advanced technological interdisciplinary science cluster: Biological contrbuting to the economic competitiveness of the capabilities, backed by a pool of expertise and skills United Kingdom, the effectiveness of public services across a broad range of disciplines, are exploited by more Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, than 600 government, academic, industrial and other Environmental Sciences, Computing Sciences and policy, and quality of life. The ESRC is independent, established by Royal Charter in 1965, research organisations around the world each year. The and Mathematics. annual budget of the CCLRC is c. £150 million. and funded mainly by government.

Engineering Environment Freshwater and Physical Agency Biological

Sciences Contact: Steve Killeen, Association Research Council Head of Science, Environment Agency, Block 1 Government Buildings Contact: Dr Roger Sweeting, Contact: Dr Claire Graves, Burghill Road, Westbury on Trym, Chief Executive. Public Affairs Mamager, Bristol BS10 6BF. The Freshwater Biological Association, The EPSRC, Polaris House, Tel: 0117 914 2980 Ferry House, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Fax: 0117 914 2929 Cumbria LA22 0LP. Tel: 01793 444459 Fax: 01793 444005 E-mail: steve.killeen@environment- Tel: 015394 42468 Fax: 015394 46914 agency.gov.uk E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Website:www.epsrc.ac.uk Website: www.fba.org.uk EPSRC invests more than £500 million a year in The Environment Agency is responsible for The Freshwater Biological Association is an research and postgraduate training in the physical protecting and enhancing the environment in independent organisation and a registered Charity, sciences and engineering, to help the nation handle England and Wales. We contribute to founded in 1929. It aims to promote freshwater the next generation of technological change. The sustainable development through the science through an innovative research areas covered range from mathematics to materials integrated management of air, land and water. science, and information technology to structural programme, an active membership organisation We commission research to support our engineering. and by providing sound independent opinion. It We also actively promote public engagement with functions through our Science Programme that publishes a variety of specialist volumes and science and engineering, and we collaborate with a is based on a 5 year plan developed through houses one of the finest freshwater libraries in the wide range of organisations in this area. consultation. world.

Health Human Institute Protection Fertilisation of Agency and Biology Contact: Professor Pat Troop, Chief Executive Health Protection Agency Central Office Embryology Contact: Prof Alan Malcolm, Chief Executive 7th Floor, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn London WC1V 7PP Authority 9 Red Lion Court, London EC4A 3EF Tel: 020 7759 2700/2701 Tel: 020 7936 5900 Fax: 020 7759 2733 Email: [email protected] Contact: Tim Whitaker Fax: 020 7936 5901 Web: www.hpa.org.uk 21 Bloomsbury St E-mail: [email protected] London WC1B 3HF The Health Protection Agency is an independent Website: www.iob.org organisation dedicated to protecting people’s health in Tel: 020 7291 8200 the United Kingdom. We do this by providing impartial Fax: 020 7291 8201 The biological sciences have truly come of advice and authoritative information on health Email: [email protected] protection uses to the public, to professionals and to age with the new millennium and the Website: www.hfea.gov.uk government. Institute of Biology is the professional body We combine public health and scientific expertise, The HFEA is a non-departmental Government to represent biology and biologists to all. A research and emergency planning within one organisation. We work at international, national and body that regulates and inspects all UK clinics source of independent advice to regional and local levels and have many links with many providing IVF, donor insemination or the Government, a supporter of education, a other organisations around the world. This means we can storage of eggs, sperm or embryos. The HFEA measure of excellence and a disseminator of respond quickly and effectively to new and existing also licenses and monitors all human embryo national and global threats to health including infections, information - the Institute of Biology is the environmental hazards and emergencies. research being conducted in the UK. Voice of British Biology.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 59 The Institute Institute of of Mathematics Physics and Contact: Public Relations Department and its Applications 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT Engineering Tel: 020 7470 4800 Contact: Lynn Webster, Personal Assistant to E-mail: [email protected] in Medicine Executive Director Website: www.iop.org Institute of Mathematics and its Applications Contact: Robert Neilson, General Secretary Catherine Richards House, 16 Nelson Street The Institute of Physics supports the physics Fairmount House, 230 Tadcaster Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1EF community and promotes physics to York, YO24 1ES Tel: 01702 354020 government, legislators and policy makers. Tel: 01904 610821 Fax: 01904 612279 Fax: 01702 354111 It is an international learned society and E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] professional body with over 35,000 members Website: www.ipem.ac.uk Website: www.ima.org.uk worldwide, working in all branches of physics IPEM is a registered, incorporated charity for the and a wide variety of jobs and professions – advancement, in the public interest, of physics and The IMA is a professional and learned society for including fundamental resarch, technology- engineering applied to medicine and biology. It qualified and practising mathematicians. Its mission is based industries, medicine, finance – and accredits medical physicists, clinical engineers and to promote mathematics in industry, business, the newer jobs such as computer games design. clinical technologists through its membership register, public sector, education and research. The Institute is active in school and higher organises training and CPD for them, and provides Forty percent of members are employed in education education and awards professional opportunities for the dissemination of knowledge (schools through to universities), and the other 60% qualifications. It provides policy advice and through publications and scientific meetings. IPEM is work in commercial and governmental organisations. opportunities for public debate on areas of licensed by the Science Council to award CSci and by The Institute is incorporated by Royal Charter and has physics such as energy and climate change the Engineering Council (UK) to award CEng, IEng the right to award Chartered Mathematician status. that affect us all. and EngTech.

Institution Institution of of Civil Engineering Institution of Engineers and Technology Chemical Engineers Contact: Neal Weston, External Relations Manager Contact: Tony Henderson IChemE is the hub for chemical, One Great George Street, Westminster, Institution of Engineering and Technology biochemical and process engineering London SW1P 3AA, UK Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL professionals worldwide. We are the heart Tel: 020 7665 2151 Tel: 020 7344 8403 of the process community, promoting Fax: 020 7222 0973 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.theiet.org competence and a commitment to E-mail: [email protected] sustainable development, advancing the Website: www.ice.org.uk discipline for the benefit of society and The Institution of Engineering and Technology ICE aims to be a leader in shaping the was formed in 2006 by the Institution of supporting the professional development engineering profession. With over 75,000 of over 25,000 members. Electrical Engineers and the Institution of members, ICE acts as a knowledge exchange Incorporated Engineers. The IET has more than Contact: Andrew Furlong for all aspects of civil engineering. As a 150,000 members worldwide who work in a Member Networks Director Learned Society, the Institution provides range of industries. The Institution aims to lead t: +44 (0) 1788 534484 expertise, in the form of reports and comment, in the advancement of engineering and f: +44 (0) 1788 560833 on a wide range of subjects from energy technology by facilitating the exchange of e: [email protected] generation and supply, to sustainability and the knowledge and ideas at a local and global level www.icheme.org environment. and promoting best practice.

LGC University London Queens Road, Teddington of Leeds Metropolitan Middlesex, TW11 0LY Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000 Contact: Mrs K Brownridge, Polymer Centre Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767 Director of Research Support, E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Alison Green, Research Support Unit, 3 Cavendish Road, Website: www.lgc.co.uk London Metropolitan University Leeds LS2 9JT 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB LGC, a science service company, is Europe’s leading Tel: 0113 3436050 Tel: 020 7133 2189 independent provider of analytical and diagnostic services Fax: 0113 3434058 and reference standards. LGC’s market-led divisions - Fax: 020 7133 2184 LGC Forensics, Food Chain and Environment, Life E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Services and LGC Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/rsu Website: www.polymers.org.uk Promochem (for Reference Materials) - operate in a The University of Leeds is among the The London Metropolitan Polymer Centre provides diverse range of sectors for both public and private sector largest research universities in Europe. training, consultancy and applied research to the UK customers. We have some 3000 researchers, including polymer (plastics & rubber) industry. The training Under arrangements for the office and function of postgraduates, and an annual research courses are delivered through a programme of Government Chemist, LGC fulfils specific statutory duties income of more than £70m. Research activity industrial short courses and customised courses and and provides advice for Government and the wider extends across nine faculties representing these, together with distance learning and other analytical community on the implications of analytical flexible delivery methods, lead to qualifications chemistry for matters of policy, standards and regulation. most core disciplines and often crosses traditional subject boundaries. In the last ranging from technician to Masters level. Recent LGC is based in Teddington, Middlesex, with other UK Research Assessment Exercise, we had 35 successes include a WRAP sponsored programme to operations in Runcorn, Edinburgh, Culham, Risley and schools rated internationally or nationally develop new commercial applications for recycled Tamworth and facilities in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, PET and several technology transfer projects with Spain, Sweden and India. excellent. companies.

60 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Marks & Medical Spencer Plc Research Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories Contact: Contact: Professor Ray Hill, FMedSci David Gregory Council Licensing & External Research, Europe Waterside House Contact: Simon Wilde Terlings Park 35 North Wharf Road Harlow CM20 2QR London W2 1NW. 20 Park Crescent, London W1B 1AL. Essex Tel: 020 8718 8247 Tel: 020 7636 5422 Fax: 020 7436 2665 Tel: 01279 440168 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 01279 440713 Main Business Activities Website: www.mrc.ac.uk e-mail: [email protected] Retailer – Clothing, Food, Financial www.merck.com Services and Home The Medical Research Council (MRC) is funded by the UK taxpayer. We are Merck Sharp & Dohme is a UK subsidiary of We have over 450 stores in 31 independent of Government, but work closely Merck & Co Inc a global research-driven territories worldwide, employing with the Health Departments, the National pharmaceutical company dedicated to 65,000 people. Health Service and industry to ensure that the putting patients first. Merck discovers, research we support takes account of the develops, manufactures and markets We offer our customers quality, value, public’s needs as well as being of excellent vaccines and medicines in over 20 service and trust in our brand by scientific quality. As a result, MRC-funded therapeutic categories directly and through applying science and technology to research has led to some of the most its joint ventures. Our mission is to provide develop innovative products and significant discoveries in medical science and society with superior products and services benefited millions of people, both in the UK by developing innovations and solutions services. and worldwide. that improve the quality of life.

The National National Natural Endowment Physical England for Science, Laboratory Contact: Dr Tom Tew Technology and Director Science and Evidence the Arts National Physical Laboratory Natural England Hampton Road, Teddington Northminster House Contact: Maria Estevez Middlesex TW11 0LW Peterborough Policy Assistant Tel: 020 8943 6880 Fax: 020 8943 6458 PE1 1UA Fishmongers’ Chambers Tel: 01733 455056 110 Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TW E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7645 9500 Website: www.npl.co.uk Fax: 01733 568834 Fax: 020 7645 9501 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the Website: www.naturalengland.org.uk Website: www.nesta.org.uk United Kingdom’s national standards laboratory, NESTA aims to be the single most powerful catalyst an internationally respected and independent Natural England is the Government's for innovation in the UK. In everything it does, it is centre of excellence in research, development conservation agency working throughout seeking to increase the UK ‘s capacity to fulfil its vast innovative potential. Through a range of pioneering and knowledge transfer in measurement and England; we conserve, enhance and manage programmes, it invests at every stage of the materials science. For more than a century, NPL the natural environment for the benefit of has developed and maintained the nation’s innovation process; providing early stage seed capital current and future generations. We for promising ideas for new products and services; primary measurement standards - the heart of investing in UK talent to ensure it stays in the UK; an infrastructure designed to ensure accuracy, commission research and publish papers and experimenting with new ways of engaging the which underpin the development of our public in science, technology and the creative consistency and innovation in physical industries. measurement. policies and programmes.

Natural Newcastle The Nutrition Environment University Society Research Council Contact: Dr Douglas Robertson Contact: Frederick Wentworth-Bowyer, Contact: Sheila Anderson Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU Chief Executive, The Nutrition Society, Head of Communications 10 Cambridge Court, 210 Shepherds Bush Road Tel: 0191 222 5347 Fax: 0191 222 5219 London W6 7NJ Polaris House, North Star Avenue E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7602 0228 Swindon SN2 1EU Fax: +44 (0)20 7602 1756 Tel: 01793 411646 Fax: 01793 411510 Website: www.ncl.ac.uk Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Newcastle University is a member of the Russell Founded in 1941, The Nutrition Society is the premier Website: www.nerc.ac.uk scientific and professional body dedicated to advance Group of research intensive universities. the scientific study of nutrition and its application to the The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council Newcastle has a considerable reputation in maintenance of human and animal health. funds and carries out impartial scientific research undertaking ‘research with a purpose’. The Highly regarded by the scientific community, the Society is the largest learned society for nutrition in Europe. in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains University has a well balanced portfolio of the next generation of independent environmental Membership is worldwide and is open to those with a research funding and has one of the highest genuine interest in the science of human or animal scientists. levels of research projects funded by the UK nutrition. NERC funds research in universities and in a Government Departments and a very Principal activities include: 1. Publishing internationally renowned scientific network of its own centres, which include: significant portfolio of FP6 EU activity (with learned journals British Antarctic Survey, British Geological over 100 projects involving more than 1800 2. Promoting the education and training of nutritionists Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, partners). The University is taking its 3. Promoting the highest standards of professional competence and practice in nutrition National Oceanography Centre and commitment further through the development 4. Disseminating scientific information through its Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory of Newcastle Science City. publications and programme of scientific meetings

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 61 Particle Physics and Astronomy Prospect Research Contact: Sue Ferns, Prospect Head of Research and Specialist Council Services, Prospect House 75 – 79 York Rd, London SE1 7AQ Contact: Philip Greenish CBE, Chief Executive Contact: Nigel Calvin Tel: 020 7902 6639 Fax: 020 7902 6637 29 Great Peter Street, Policy and Public Affairs Manager E-mail: [email protected] London SW1P 3LW www.prospect.org.uk Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council Tel: 020 7227 0500 Fax: 020 7233 0054 Polaris House, North Star Avenue Prospect is an independent, thriving and E-mail: [email protected] Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1SZ forward-looking trade union with 102,000 Website: www.raeng.org.uk Tel: 01793 442176 Fax: 01793 442125 members. We represent scientists, Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineering E-mail: [email protected] technologists and other professions in the promotes the engineering and technological welfare of Website: www.pparc.ac.uk civil service, research councils and private the country by facilitating the application of science. sector. As a national academy, we offer independent and The PPARC is the UK’s strategic science investment impartial advice to Government; work to secure the agency that directs and funds research in national and Prospect’s collective voice champions the interests of the engineering and scientific next generation of engineers; pursue excellence; and international programmes in fundamental physics. provide a voice for Britain’s engineering community. community to key opinion-formers and Our Fellowship - comprising the UK’s most eminent It is this research into fundamental physics that lies policy makers and, with negotiating rights behind some of the major technological advances of the engineers - provides the leadership and expertise for with over 300 employers, we seek to secure a our activities, which focus on the importance of 20th Century, and delivers world leading science, better life at work by putting members’ pay, engineering and technology to wealth creation and the technologies and people for the UK. conditions and careers first. quality of life.

The Royal The Royal Institution Society Contact: Dr Gail Cardew Contact: Dr David Stewart Boak, Head of Programmes Director Communications The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, The Royal Institution London, SW1Y 5AG. 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS Tel: 020 7451 2510 Fax: 020 7451 2615 Tel: 020 7409 2992 Fax: 020 7670 2920 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rigb.org Website: www.royalsoc.ac.uk Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is an independent The Royal Institution has a reputation established academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. over 200 years for its high calibre events that It aims to: • strengthen UK science by providing support to break down the barriers between science and excellent individuals society. It acts as a unique forum for informing • fund excellent research to push back the frontiers people about how science affects their daily lives, of knowledge and prides itself on its reputation of engaging the • attract and retain the best scientists • ensure the UK engages with the best science around public in scientific debate. During 2006 the Ri is the world closed for the refurbishment of its Grade 1 listed • support science communication and education; and building. The public and schools’ events communicate and encourage dialogue with the public programme will continue throughout this time. • provide the best independent advice nationally and internationally For more details on this and our refurbishment • promote scholarship and encourage research into the plans, please see our website. history of science

The Royal The Science Statistical Council The Royal Society Society Contact: Diana Garnham, Chief Executive Officer of Chemistry Contact: Mr Andrew Garratt The Science Council Press and Public Affairs Officer 210 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE Contact: Dr Stephen Benn The Royal Statistical Society Tel 020 7611 8754 Fax 020 7611 8743 Parliamentary Affairs 12 Errol Sreet, London EC1Y 8LX. E-mail: [email protected] The Royal Society of Chemistry Website: www.sciencecouncil.org Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA Tel: +44 20 7614 3920 Tel: 020 7437 8656 Fax: 020 7734 1227 Fax: +44 20 7614 3905 The Science Council has a membership of over E-Mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] 27 professional institutions and learned Website: http://www.rsc.org Website: www.rss.org.uk societies covering the breadth of science and The RSS is much more than just a learned society. mathematics. Its purpose is to provide an http://www.chemsoc.org independent collective voice for science and The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned, We lead the way as an independent source of advice scientists and to maintain standards across all professional and scientific body of over 46,000 on statistical issues and play a crucial role in raising scientific disciplines. We are active in science members with a duty under its Royal Charter the profile of statistics, through our links with policy issues including science in education, “to serve the public interest”. It is active in the government, academia and the corporate and health, society and sustainability. In 2003 the Science Council was granted its Royal Charter areas of education and qualifications, science voluntary sectors. We have a powerful voice at and in 2004 it launched the Chartered Scientist policy, publishing, Europe, information and Royal Commissions, Parliamentary Select (CSci) designation as a measure of high internet services, media relations, public Committees and at public consultations, offering standards in the practice, application, understanding of science, advice and assistance our own unique view on just about anything, from advancement and teaching of science. We now to Parliament and Government. freedom of information to sustainable development. have over 10,000 Chartered Scientists.

62 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 Society of Chemical Contact: Dr Faye Stokes, Industry Public Affairs Administrator Contact: Dr David J Winstanley Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Contact: Andrew Ladds, Bioscience Sector Strategy Manager Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG. General Secretary and Chief Executive SEMTA, Wynyard Park House, Tel: 0118 988 1843 Fax: 0118 988 5656 SCI International Headquarters Wynyard Park, Billingham, TS22 5TB E-mail: [email protected] 14-15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS Tel: 01740 627000 Mobile: 07973 679 338 Website: http//www.sgm.ac.uk Tel: 020 7598 1500 Fax: 020 7598 1545 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] SGM is the largest microbiological society in Website: www.semta.org.uk Website: www.soci.org Europe. The Society publishes four journals of SEMTA (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing international standing, and organises regular SCI is an interdisciplinary network for science, Technologies Alliance) is the Sector Skills Council for the scientific meetings. commerce and industry. SCI attracts forward- science, engineering and manufacturing technology sectors. looking people in process and materials Our Mission is ‘to ensure that our sector has the knowledge SGM also promotes education and careers in technologies and in the biotechnology, energy, and skills required to meet the challenges faced by the microbiology, and it is committed to represent water, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, workforce of the future.’ microbiology to government, the media and the construction, and environmental protection sectors Our sectors account for a significant proportion of the UK public. worldwide. Members exchange ideas and gain economy. There are about 2 million people employed in new perspectives on markets, technologies, An information service on microbiological issues about 76,000 establishments in the core Science, strategies and people, through electronic and Engineering and Technology sectors, currently contributes concerning aspects of medicine, agriculture, physical specialist conferences and debates, and over £74 billion per annum – about ten per cent – of total food safety, biotechnology and the environment publish journals, books and the respected UK GDP. is available on request. magazine Chemistry & Industry.

Society of University of Universities Cosmetic Surrey Federation

Scientists Contact: Katy Leivers for Animal Welfare Contact: Lorna Weston, University of Surrey, Guildford, Contact: Dr James Kirkwood, Secretary General Surrey, GU2 7XH Scientific Director Society of Cosmetic Scientists Tel: 01483 683937 The Old School, Brewhouse Hill G T House, 24-26 Rothesay Road, Luton, Fax: 01483 683948 Wheathampstead, Herts. AL4 8AN. Beds LU1 1QX E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01582 831818. Fax: 01582 831414. Tel: 01582 726661 Website: http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ Email: [email protected] Fax: 01582 405217 Website: www.ufaw.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading Registered Charity No: 207996 Website: www.scs.org.uk professional, scientific and technological universities UFAW is an internationally-recognized independent with a world class research profile and a reputation Advancing the science of cosmetics is the primary scientific and educational animal welfare charity. It objective of the SCS. Cosmetic science covers a wide for excellence in teaching and learning. Ground- works to improve animal lives by: range of disciplines from organic and physical breaking research at the University is bringing direct • supporting animal welfare research. chemistry to biology and photo-biology, dermatology, benefit to all spheres of life - helping industry to • educating and raising awareness of welfare microbiology, physical sciences and psychology. maintain its competitive edge and creating issues in the UK and overseas. Members are scientists and the SCS helps them improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space • producing the leading journal Animal Welfare and progress their careers and the science of cosmetics science, the environment, communications, ion other high-quality publications on animal care ethically and responsibly. Services include and welfare. publications, educational courses and scientific beam and optoelectronics technology, visual multi • providing expert advice to government meetings. media, defence and social policy. departments and other concerned bodies.

Parliamentary and Scientific Committee News

Sir Ian Lloyd Sir Ian Lloyd, President of the Committee 1990-92 and a regular contributor to this journal, sadly died on 26th September. New Members We are delighted to welcome two new members: Mr Willie Rennie MP and the Engineering Professors’ Council. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), in conjunction with the British VeterinaryAssociation (BVA) Ethics Committee, held a major international animal welfare symposium, “Quality of Life: the heart of the matter” at the Royal Society on 13th and 14th September. Seen here at a reception held for the delegates in the House of Commons on 13th September are Dr Doug Naysmith MP and Lord Soulsby, Chair of the BVA Ethics Committee.

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 63 Monday 15 January 2007 17.30 Thursday 30 November 19.00 Conflicts of Interest Bright ideas: solar energy and Science Speakers: Dr Richard Smith, Chief carbon reduction Executive, UnitedHealth Europe Dr Kevin Anderson and Prof David Sir Iain Chalmers, James Lind Library, Cahen Diary Oxford The Institution of Engineering and Professor Clive Wilson, Strathclyde Technology University and and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Friday 15 December – Friday 22 Britain December Royal Institution Christmas The Parliamentary and Lectures: ‘THE NUM8ER Scientific Committee MY5TERIES’ Contact: Annabel Lloyd Prof Marcus du Sautoy 020 7222 7085 The Royal Institution www.scienceinparliament.org.uk Due to refurbishment, all Ri events Friday 15 December 17.00 Monday 23 October 17.15 are to be held at external venues The curious incident of the never- Extraordinary General Meeting throughout 2006 and into 2007. See ending numbers Followed by www.rigb.org or telephone 020 7409 How Can Science Help to Save the 2992 for full details and to book Saturday 16 December 17.00 Marine Environment? tickets. The story of the elusive shapes Speakers: Professor Ed Hill, Director, National Oceanography Centre, Friday 20 October 19.30 Monday 18 December 17.00 Southampton From chemicals to consciousness The secret of the winning streak Dr Carol Turley, Head of Science, Baroness Susan Greenfield Wednesday 20 December 17.00 Plymouth Marine Laboratory University College London Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, Cefas The case of the uncrackable code Wednesday 25 October 19.00 Wednesday 8 November 8.30 Friday 22 December 17.00 Something in the genes: Walter The quest to predict the future Breakfast Briefing: Satellites for Rothschild, zoological collector Science, Engineering, Technology extraordinaire and Business Victor Gray Speakers: Prof John Zarnecki, PPARC and Open University, Planetary and The Royal College of Surgeons of Space Sciences Research Institute England The Royal Society Sir Martin Sweeting, Surrey Satellite 6-9 Carlton House Terrace Technology Thursday 9 November 19.00 London SW1Y 5AG Colin Paynter, Managing Director. Ageing inside out The Royal Society runs a series of EADS Astrium Ltd Prof Tom Kirkwood events, both evening lectures and two The Institute of Physics day discussion meetings, on topics Monday 20 November 17.30 covering the whole breadth of Are Patients Safe with the NHS? Wednesday 15 November 19.00 science, engineering and technology. Speakers: Dr Bill Murray, Acting Chief William Shockley: creator of the All the events are free to attend and Executive, National Patient Safety electronic age open to all. Agency Joel Shurkin Highlights in the next few months Professor Tom Treasure, General Science Oxford include: Thoracic Surgeon, Guy’s Hospital Professor Peter Buckle, Robens Centre Friday 17 November 19.30 Monday 30 October 18.30 For Health Ergonomics, University of The rediscovered Hooke folio: what Constructing the nervous system: Surrey happened next stem cells to synapses Prof Lisa Jardine Royal Society Rosalind Franklin prize Tuesday 28 November 10.00-14.30 University College London lecture Visit to NPL Professor Andrea Brand Tuesday 21 November 19.00 Monday 4 December 17.30 Monday 13 - Tuesday 14 November (all Alchemy: the occult beginnings of Materials, Minerals and Mining – day) Innovation, Conservation and science The biogeochemistry of trace gases Wealth Creation Dr Philip Ball, Dr Peter Forshaw and and their role in driving global Speakers: Professor Robert Pine, Prof William Newman change Camborne School of Mines, The Royal College of Surgeons of Professor David Beerling, Professor University of Exeter England CN Hewitt, Professor John Pyle FRS Dr Stuart Lyon, University of and Professor John Raven FRS Manchester, Immediate Past-President Friday 24 November 19.30 Institute of Corrosion Bending minds: how technology Please see www.royalsoc.ac.uk/events Professor Colin J Humphreys, can change who you are for the full events programme, more Department of Materials Science and Dr Martin Westwell details about the above highlights and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge University College London web casts of past events.

64 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 The Royal Academy of Tuesday 28 November Engineering Nociception: Taking the Pain out of 29 Great Peter Street, Drug Discovery London SW1P 3LW. For information about events visit Wednesday 29 November www.raeng.org.uk/events or contact Colloids in Coatings [email protected] Friday 1 December YCP Review meeting - Contemporary Catalysis in Organic Synthesis The Royal Society of Officers of the Parliamentary Edinburgh 22-26 George Street, Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 December & Scientific Committee Edinburgh EH2 2PQ. 24th Process Development Tel: 0131 240 5000 Symposium President: The Lord Soulsby of Fax: 0131 240 5024 at Churchill College, Cambridge Swaffham Prior [email protected] Chairman: Dr Douglas Naysmith MP www.royalsoced.org.uk Thursday 7 December Deputy Chairmen: Dr Desmond Turner MP All events require registration and Blood, Sweat and Bouncing Balls Mr Robert Key MP take place at the RSE. Hon Treasurer: Dr Ian Gibson MP Tuesday 12 December Hon Secretaries: Dr Evan Harris MP McBain Medal Award Symposium Tuesday 13 February 2007 Mr James Paice MP ECRR Peter Wilson Lecture Thursday 8 February 2007 Vice-Presidents: The Rt Hon Lord Does Science Matter? Jenkin of Roding Green Product Design Professor Anne Glover, Chief Dr Richard Worswick Scientific Adviser for Scotland Thursday 15 February Ms Sandra Gidley MP Industrial and Commercial Flooring Mr Stephen Cox CVO SCI Mr Peter Raymond MBE 14/15 Belgrave Square Professor Jane Plant CBE London SW1X 8PS Royal Pharmaceutical Dr Brian Iddon MP Contact: [email protected] or Society of Great Britain Dr David Dent 020 7598 1562 Contact: [email protected] Advisory Panel: Professor Peter Saunders Unless otherwise stated events are at www.rpsgb.org Professor Julia King CBE SCI FREng Monday 6 November Professor Alan Malcolm Wednesday 1 November Principles of Pharmacy Education Secretariat: Professor Peter Simpson Reach - Impact of New Chemical A Joint Symposium of the Academy of Mrs Annabel Lloyd Control Regulations Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Academic Pharmacy Group and the Science in Parliament Tuesday 7 November Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great 2nd International Membrane Britain 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ Chromatography Conference Riverbank Park Plaza, London Tel: 020 7222 7085 Fax: 020 7222 7189 Editor: Professor Peter Simpson Monday 13 November Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 November Editorial Assistant: Mrs Annabel Lloyd Green Product Design Tabletting Technology for the Pharmaceutical Industry Editorial/Management Board: Tuesday 14 November Moller Centre, Cambridge Dr Brian Iddon MP (Chairman) Process Engineering Workshop Mr Robert Freer Monday 19 – Wednesday 21 February Dr Ashok Kumar MP Tuesday 28 November 2007 Plant Derived Natural Products Stability testing of pharmaceuticals Professor Alan Malcolm at Syngenta, Bracknell, UK Moller Centre, Cambridge Mr Andrew Miller MP Dr Douglas Naysmith MP The Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior

SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT Published by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ. Published four times a year. The 2006 subscription rate is £65.00. Single numbers £16.25 ISSN 0263-6271 All enquiries, including those from members wishing to take the front or back covers, advertise in the journal or appear in the directory to Mrs Annabel Lloyd, Tel 020 7222 7085 Copyright ©2006 by Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. All rights reserved. None of the articles in this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Typeset and printed by APR Print and Design Ltd

Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 4 Autumn 2006 65 The State of the Nation report is compiled each year by a panel of experts from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to stimulate debate and to highlight the actions that we believe are needed to improve the UK’s infrastructure.

This year’s report is launched on 17 October 2006

To view the full report please visit uk-infrastructure.org.uk

About ICE

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a global membership organisation that promotes and advances civil engineering An assessment of the UK’s infrastructure around the world. by the Institution of Civil Engineers ICE is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. Established in 1818, it has around 80,000 members throughout the world.

For further information on The State of the Nation contact ICE:

t +44 (0)20 7665 2152 f +44 (0)20 7222 0973 e [email protected]

ice.org.uk

Registered charity number 210252