Written question asked by Jim Dobbin (Labour) on Thursday, 30 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 October 1998. It was answered by Lord Mandelson (Labour) on Thursday, 29 October 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, What steps he is taking to promote the use of science, engineering and technology across government. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to promote the use of science, engineering and technology across Government. [55080] Mr. Mandelson: The effective use of science, engineering and technology is one of my key priorities. The Government have already allocated an additional £1.4 billion over the next three years, including £0.4 billion from the Wellcome Trust, to restore the excellence of the Science and Engineering Base. And the forthcoming Competitiveness White Paper will demonstrate that science is fundamental to helping UK companies address the challenges of the knowledge-driven economy. Within Government we will seek to ensure that policy and regulation are always based on the best available scientific evidence. Lord Sainsbury and I will be working with Ministers in other Government Departments both to make sure the Chief Scientific Advisor's Guidelines on the use of scientific advice in policy making are fully and rigorously implemented and to improve public confidence in the Government's use of scientific advice.

Secondary information