Science and TechnologyCorrespondence from the Chair of the Committee to the Chief Executive Officer, Natural Environment Research Council, and Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council

It was with some concern that I received the news this evening that NERC had decided to bring forward its meeting to consider the merger of the British Antarctic Survey and the National Oceanography Centre. I know that there are real concerns over the proposed merger from some eminent scientists and that the feelings of the scientists concerned are overwhelmingly opposed to the merger.

I felt that the significant amount of information received by the Committee from those opposed to the merger warranted a public hearing of the issues. I was therefore understandably disappointed at your change in timetable which would mean that the decision was made weeks in advance of the planned Committee meeting.

To enable both the needs of NERC and those of my Committee to be met, I would like you to provide my Committee with the promised written evidence by the end of this week and for you to come to the Select Committee next week. This would enable the proper public scrutiny of merger of these institutions to take place and for my Committee to be able to inform any decision NERC may take on the matter.

24 October 2012