Science and Technology - Fourth Report
Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 12 March 2001.
CONTENTS
Terms of Reference
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
REPORT
Our inquiry
Developments
Developments since our case studies
Genetically modified foods
Mobile phones and health
Diabetes and driving licences
PART I - SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT
Sources of scientific advice
The Council for Science and Technology
The Chief Scientific Adviser and the Office
of Science and Technology
Chief Scientists in Departments
The Director General of Research Councils
and the Research Councils
Public Sector Research Establishments
Government advisory committees
Strategic advisory bodies
International advice
The Learned Bodies
The Government's role
Identifying the need for advice
Assessing advice
Using advice in policy-making
Scientific uncertainty and the precautionary
principle
Intragovernmental co-ordination
PART II—QUALITY OF AND CONFIDENCE IN
SCIENTIFIC ADVICE
Establishing the quality of advice
Public confidence
Openness and transparency
The role of the media
PART III—THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY SYSTEM
Operation of the advisory committees
Recruitment
Lay members
Potential conflicts of interest
Turnover of membership
Committee secretariats
Rationalisation of committees
Impact of change in Public Sector Research
Establishments
Lessons from abroad
CONCLUSION
Annex: Outline of the Committee's visit to
Washington DC, 22nd - 24th June 1998
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE REPORT
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING TO
THE REPORT
LIST OF MINUTES OF EVIDENCE AND MEMORANDA
UNPRINTED MEMORANDA
LIST OF REPORTS
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE
APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE
Appendix 1: Further Supplementary Memorandum from the Office of Science and Technology
Appendix 2: Memorandum from Lord Whitty, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport
and the Regions
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