Annex A: Terms of Reference for the Committee's
Inquiry
The Science and Technology Committee agreed to
hold an inquiry to examine the way in which the Government obtains
and uses scientific advice in the development of policy.
The inquiry will focus upon the mechanisms in place
for the use of scientific advice (including the social sciences)
and the way in which the guidelines governing the use of such
advice are being applied in practice across Government. It will
test the extent to which policies are "evidence-based".
The Committee will carry out this inquiry by addressing
the questions below in a series of case studies.
The first three case studies to be addressed are:
a) The technologies supporting the Government's
proposals for identity cards
b) The classification of illegal drugs
c) The use of MRI equipment: the EU Physical
Agents (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive
In each case, the Committee will be addressing
the process of policy development rather than the actual merits
of the policies. The Committee will explore the following
questions:
Sources and handling of advice
- What impact are departmental
Chief Scientific Advisers having on the policy making process?
- What is the role of the Government Chief Scientific
Adviser in the policy making process and what impact has he made
to date?
- Are existing advisory bodies being used in a
satisfactory manner?
- Are Government departments establishing the right
balance between maintaining an in-house scientific capability
and accessing external advice?
Relationship between scientific advice and policy
development
- What mechanisms are in place
to ensure that policies are based on available evidence?
- Are departments engaging effectively in horizon
scanning activities and how are these influencing policy?
- Is Government managing scientific advice on cross-departmental
issues effectively?
Treatment of risk
- Is risk being analysed in a
consistent and appropriate manner across Government?
- Has the precautionary principle been adequately
defined and is it being applied consistently and appropriately
across Government?
- How does the media treatment of risk issues impact
on the Government approach?
Transparency, communication and public engagement
- Is there sufficient transparency
in the process by which scientific advice is incorporated into
policy development?
- Is publicly-funded research informing policy
development being published?
- Is scientific advice being communicated effectively
to the public?
Evaluation and follow-up
- Are peer review and other quality
assurance mechanisms working well?
- What steps are taken to re-evaluate the evidence
base after the implementation of policy?
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