Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 June 2007. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Research: Closures

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the case for allowing the Office of Science and Technology to exercise powers of scrutiny over proposed research institute closures; and what discussions he has had with the Trades Union Congress on this matter.

Answer: [holding answer 19 June 2007]: Recommendations in the Science and Technology Select Committee’s report on its Inquiry into the Research Council Institutes, published on 22 March, suggested a greater role for the Office of Science and Innovation in monitoring the Research Council Institutes, including any restructuring of those Institutes. These issues were raised at a meeting between myself as the Minister for Science and Innovation and Prospect, in April.The Government’s approach remain that the Research Councils should retain responsibility for the management and organisation of their Research Institutes. Research Councils discuss any proposed closures of such Institutes with local staff trade unions, as a matter of course.But Ministers and OSI retain an interest in ensuring the good overall management of our science base and its institutions.

Secondary information