My Lords, I welcome the fact that the noble Lord, Lord Bilimoria, has introduced this enormously important debate. I should like quickly to make two points. First, it is important that debates such as this one on science education should be based on a clear assessment of the position in...

My Lords, I welcome the fact that the noble Lord, Lord Bilimoria, has introduced this enormously important debate. I should like quickly to make two points. First, it is important that debates such as this one on science education should be based on a clear assessment of the position in...

Whether there is an official retirement age for members of their scientific advisory committees; and whether there are any constraints on the length of time that members serve on one particular committee or on scientific advisory committees in general.

Whether there is an official retirement age for members of their scientific advisory committees; and whether there are any constraints on the length of time that members serve on one particular committee or on scientific advisory committees in general.

What are the provisions for dealing with physical or mental incapacity that might occur in a serving member of one of their scientific advisory committees.

What are the provisions for dealing with physical or mental incapacity that might occur in a serving member of one of their scientific advisory committees.

Who are the members of their scientific advisory committees, stating for each person what capacity they have served, any previous service on such committees and the periods of service.

Who are the members of their scientific advisory committees, stating for each person what capacity they have served, any previous service on such committees and the periods of service.

Lords debate on motion to call attention to medical research and its science base in the United Kingdom. Motion withdrawn.

Lords debate on motion to call attention to medical research and its science base in the United Kingdom. Motion withdrawn.

What plans they have to increase spending on scientific research to ensure that the United Kingdom does not fall behind international competitors.

What plans they have to increase spending on scientific research to ensure that the United Kingdom does not fall behind international competitors.

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lady Hayman for introducing this debate. We all appreciate her great personal interest in and commitment to this area. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Fritchie, on her excellent maiden speech. It had everything that we admire in this House—expert knowledge, clarity of thought, and...

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lady Hayman for introducing this debate. We all appreciate her great personal interest in and commitment to this area. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Fritchie, on her excellent maiden speech. It had everything that we admire in this House—expert knowledge, clarity of thought, and...

What response they will make to the proposal by the President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers that the title of the Minister of Science and Innovation be changed to the Minister of Engineering, Science and Innovation.

What response they will make to the proposal by the President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers that the title of the Minister of Science and Innovation be changed to the Minister of Engineering, Science and Innovation.

Lords debate on motion to call attention to the contribution of science and technology to the United Kingdom economy. Motion withdrawn.

Lords debate on motion to call attention to the contribution of science and technology to the United Kingdom economy. Motion withdrawn.

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Bhattacharyya for raising the important issue of science and technology and its contribution to economic growth. I am also enormously thankful to the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, for her superb short speech, which added an enormous amount to the debate....

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Bhattacharyya for raising the important issue of science and technology and its contribution to economic growth. I am also enormously thankful to the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, for her superb short speech, which added an enormous amount to the debate....

What plans they have to increase investment in research and development from its current level of 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to the European Union average of 2 per cent of GDP.

What plans they have to increase investment in research and development from its current level of 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to the European Union average of 2 per cent of GDP.

Lords debate on Queens speech (second day) on industry and economic affairs.

Lords debate on Queens speech (second day) on industry and economic affairs.

My Lords, I was going to make the point that I failed to hear what the noble Baroness's bet was to be, and I thought that that reflected her prudence as an accountant. I should be very interested to hear what the nature of the bet would be in the...

My Lords, I was going to make the point that I failed to hear what the noble Baroness's bet was to be, and I thought that that reflected her prudence as an accountant. I should be very interested to hear what the nature of the bet would be in the...

My Lords, I shall continue with my remarks. I had hoped to resign from my ministerial job before that Bill came to the House of Lords. The thought of a Bill with 600 clauses in which my noble friend Lord Wedderburn was taking an interest seemed to me to be...

My Lords, I shall continue with my remarks. I had hoped to resign from my ministerial job before that Bill came to the House of Lords. The thought of a Bill with 600 clauses in which my noble friend Lord Wedderburn was taking an interest seemed to me to be...

My Lords, I am grateful to everyone who has taken part in this valuable debate, which has effectively highlighted the successes of the British economy and the challenges that it faces. My noble friend Lord McKenzie, in his opening speech, described the success of the Government's macroeconomic policies. I now...

My Lords, I am grateful to everyone who has taken part in this valuable debate, which has effectively highlighted the successes of the British economy and the challenges that it faces. My noble friend Lord McKenzie, in his opening speech, described the success of the Government's macroeconomic policies. I now...

In light of the 2004 science and innovation public service agreement target, what have been the total numbers of scientists and engineers employed in government departments and public sector research establishments, including post-doctoral and other training contracts, in each of the past 10 years; how many of these employees were...

In light of the 2004 science and innovation public service agreement target, what have been the total numbers of scientists and engineers employed in government departments and public sector research establishments, including post-doctoral and other training contracts, in each of the past 10 years; how many of these employees were...

In light of the 2004 science and innovation public service agreement target, what information is held across government on their scientific and engineering skill base; and what assessment has been made of the science and engineering skills needed to enhance Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the science and innovation investment...

In light of the 2004 science and innovation public service agreement target, what information is held across government on their scientific and engineering skill base; and what assessment has been made of the science and engineering skills needed to enhance Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the science and innovation investment...

Lords Written Statement on the termination of the PFI contract with Laser to build and maintain new science facilities at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington. (Inc figs).

Lords Written Statement on the termination of the PFI contract with Laser to build and maintain new science facilities at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington. (Inc figs).

Lords Written Statement on the publication of the Department of Trade and Industry five-year programme, "Creating Wealth from Knowledge". (Inc fact that copy in the library).

Lords Written Statement on the publication of the Department of Trade and Industry five-year programme, "Creating Wealth from Knowledge". (Inc fact that copy in the library).

Lords debate on motion to take note of the fifth report of the Science and Technology Committee on Science and the RDAs: SETting the regional agenda (HL 140 2002/03). Agreed to on question.

Lords debate on motion to take note of the fifth report of the Science and Technology Committee on Science and the RDAs: SETting the regional agenda (HL 140 2002/03). Agreed to on question.