That this House welcomes two initiatives of the UK Resource Centre (UKRC) for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) to encourage employers and organisations to stimulate and develop initiatives to support and retain women; believes that women play a vital part in the SET sector, but regrets that to date women only make up 15.5 per cent. of SET professionals in the UK and still only make up less than seven per cent. of the UK's engineering professionals; welcomes the launch of the SET Fair Standard, an award that recognises and rewards good practice in gender equality across all SET sectors, and the Athena Swan Charter, the equivalent award for universities which is jointly managed by the UKRC and the Equality Challenge Unit; believes that these two initiatives will further enhance the position of women in science, engineering and technology and their contribution to the UK's economy; considers that these awards should be a key accreditation for any forward-looking employer; and congratulates UKRC on its launch in the week commencing 22 March 2010 of the Women of Outstanding Achievement in a SET photographic exhibition at the Royal Academy of Engineering.

That this House welcomes two initiatives of the UK Resource Centre (UKRC) for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) to encourage employers and organisations to stimulate and develop initiatives to support and retain women; believes that women play a vital part in the SET sector, but regrets that to...

That this House commends the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' manifesto for UK engineering; recognises that engineering is integral to the UK's national economy and environment; urges the Government to take note of the proposals in the manifesto; and calls on the Government to put a regenerated UK manufacturing sector at the heart of its agenda.

That this House commends the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' manifesto for UK engineering; recognises that engineering is integral to the UK's national economy and environment; urges the Government to take note of the proposals in the manifesto; and calls on the Government to put a regenerated UK manufacturing sector at...

That this House congratulates Aberystwyth University for receiving a Queen's Anniversary Prize for the pioneering work carried out on plant breeding at the University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS); notes the work that has been carried out by IBERS to improve the quality of grass for grazing animals, reducing the methane emissions of livestock, which is crucial to combating climate change; further notes that IBERS has developed grass varieties for use in turf for sporting events, including on Centre Court at Wimbledon; acknowledges the importance of plant breeding research in meeting future challenges such as food and water security, sustainable living and overpopulation; welcomes the University's continuing contribution to plant research in Wales, the UK and globally; notes, however, that the University is having to make cuts to IBERS as a result of a shortfall of ??2.4 million; and urges the Government to do all it can to continue to support the research carried out at IBERS.

That this House congratulates Aberystwyth University for receiving a Queen's Anniversary Prize for the pioneering work carried out on plant breeding at the University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS); notes the work that has been carried out by IBERS to improve the quality of grass for grazing...

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry for its pioneering organisation of the event, Science and the General Election 2010, to be held in the Attlee Suite on 9 March 2010 at 7.30pm; recognises that the Society has organised this debate on science `to serve the public interest' in conjunction with the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology and major UK science and engineering organisations including the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, the Campaign for Science and Engineering, the Geological Society, the Royal Astronomical Society and others; acknowledges the growing interest in debating science and engineering issues prior to the General Election; recognises that science and engineering will play a vitally important part in a wide range of issues facing the next Parliament and the next Government; and hopes that right hon. and hon. Members from all sides of the House and members of the science and engineering community will be able to benefit from listening to the Parliamentary representatives of the major parties who will be taking part in this debate.

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry for its pioneering organisation of the event, Science and the General Election 2010, to be held in the Attlee Suite on 9 March 2010 at 7.30pm; recognises that the Society has organised this debate on science `to serve the public interest'...

That this House greatly welcomes the special scientific exhibition entitled SET for BRITAIN to be held in the Palace of Westminster on 8 March 2010 as a contribution to this year's National Science and Engineering Week; notes that this event in the Terrace Marquee is designed to strengthen the dialogue between Parliament and the science and engineering community; further notes that there will be three consecutive sessions incorporating a total of 180 scientific posters by early-stage and early-career researchers covering the physical sciences, chemistry and physics, engineering, and the biological and biomedical sciences; further notes that prizes will be awarded to those posters judged the best in each scientific discipline; encourages all right hon. and hon. Members to visit this exhibition to see at first hand the outstandingly high quality of research being carried out in UK universities; pays tribute to the late Dr Eric Wharton who founded this event a decade ago; greatly welcomes the co-operation in organising SET for BRITAIN of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology and others; and further notes that the success of the UK, in the competitive knowledge economy of the 21st century will depend on its world-class scientific and engineering expertise.

That this House greatly welcomes the special scientific exhibition entitled SET for BRITAIN to be held in the Palace of Westminster on 8 March 2010 as a contribution to this year's National Science and Engineering Week; notes that this event in the Terrace Marquee is designed to strengthen the dialogue...

That this House welcomes and supports National Science and Engineering Week, 12 to 21 March 2010 and the What on Earth nature-spotting project to highlight biodiversity in the UK; calls on the public to go out into parks and gardens and to rediscover and appreciate the wealth of biodiversity around them; notes the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 and the work of hundreds of schools, community groups, science centres and museums across the country which are organising events and activities in celebration of National Science and Engineering Week; and welcomes the continuing support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics by hon. Members from all sides of the House.

That this House welcomes and supports National Science and Engineering Week, 12 to 21 March 2010 and the What on Earth nature-spotting project to highlight biodiversity in the UK; calls on the public to go out into parks and gardens and to rediscover and appreciate the wealth of biodiversity around...

That this House welcomes and supports The Big Bang 2010: UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair taking place on 11 to 13 March 2010 which will include the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition; notes that over 15,000 students have already registered to attend the free event, which will include a wide range of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects on display; and believes that the study of STEM is crucial to ensure Britain's future prosperity and success.

That this House welcomes and supports The Big Bang 2010: UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair taking place on 11 to 13 March 2010 which will include the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition; notes that over 15,000 students have already registered to attend the free event, which...

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to ask the Training and Development Agency to review the Qualified Teacher Status standards; notes that the number of school students choosing to study physical science subjects post-16 has fallen over the last 25 years and that many studies have indicated a major decline in positive attitudes from students towards science; further notes the report, Initial Teacher Education and the Outdoor Classroom produced jointly by the Field Studies Council (FSC) and the Association for Science Education (ASE) and its recommendations, commonly known as the Malham Protocol, which seeks to reverse this trend; recognises that outdoor learning helps young people learn about assessing and managing risk and is an inspirational approach to teaching science; further notes with concern that there are currently a number of barriers to improving fieldwork, including Initial Teacher Training, which is not working effectively enough to help produce sufficient numbers of high quality teachers with the confidence, competence and commitment to teach outdoor science to the next generation of children and young people; further notes with concern that Qualified Teacher Status standard 30 only requires that trainee teachers should be able to identify opportunities for out-of-school learning, with no requirement for trainees to plan, organise, take part in, and lead outdoor learning activities; congratulates the FSC and the ASE on their work to improve teacher training; and calls for Qualified Teacher Status standard 30 to be strengthened in order to provide an incentive for fieldwork to be used as a teaching method.

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to ask the Training and Development Agency to review the Qualified Teacher Status standards; notes that the number of school students choosing to study physical science subjects post-16 has fallen over the last 25 years and that many studies have indicated a major...

That this House welcomes the high quality of entries for the National Science and Engineering Competition, which closed on 30 October 2009; applauds the innovation, imagination and understanding of all the young people who entered the competition; appreciates the dedication of teachers in inspiring these young people; looks forward to The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair in Manchester on 11 to 13 March 2010 which will include the finals of the competition; and welcomes the continuing support of hon. Members from across the House for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

That this House welcomes the high quality of entries for the National Science and Engineering Competition, which closed on 30 October 2009; applauds the innovation, imagination and understanding of all the young people who entered the competition; appreciates the dedication of teachers in inspiring these young people; looks forward to...

That this House marks the launch of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry Week 2009 in November; notes that among its key objectives is to raise awareness of the vital role of chemistry in food and food security as one of the major global issues of current times; further notes that activities are taking place in constituencies up and down the country based on the chemical science of food; further notes the wide range of activities organised by the Society in local communities and constituencies all over the country which are designed to illustrate the Chemistry Week theme of food which focuses on the vital role of the chemical sciences; further notes that at the Parliamentary launch of Chemistry Week on 9 November the proportion voting for fish and chips as the nation's favourite food was 60 per cent. while that voting for curry was 37.5 per cent.; and further notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of chemistry and the chemical sciences have made and continue to make to the understanding of nature, to the quality of life and to the knowledge economy of the 21st century.

That this House marks the launch of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry Week 2009 in November; notes that among its key objectives is to raise awareness of the vital role of chemistry in food and food security as one of the major global issues of current times; further notes...

That this House disagrees with the Government's decision that the Forensic Science Service (FSS) site at Chorley is to close; views the announcement as a retrograde step in light of the Prime Minister's speech to the Labour Party conference in September 2009 in which he linked Home Office cuts and the ability to process vital DNA evidence directly to an increase in violent crime; notes that Chorley FSS serves the largest crime region in the country; and calls for this decision to be reversed or at the very least put on hold until a full and thorough impact assessment has been carried out across the FSS.

That this House disagrees with the Government's decision that the Forensic Science Service (FSS) site at Chorley is to close; views the announcement as a retrograde step in light of the Prime Minister's speech to the Labour Party conference in September 2009 in which he linked Home Office cuts and...

That this House applauds the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its commitment to encourage an interest in science among young people; applauds the efforts that are being made throughout the United Kingdom, especially by teachers in primary and secondary schools, to revitalise the science curriculum and to convey the excitement of science to pupils and students; further notes that on 28 October the prestigious RSC Bill Bryson Science Prize will be presented by the celebrated author himself, together with the RSC President-Elect Professor David Phillips, to Jamie Addison, Max Angel, Hector Duncan, Kinnari Patel, Annie Pilsworth, and Mia Pugsley (primary school winners) of Whitehill Junior School in Hitchin, supported by their teacher Ms Aline Dickinson; to Kieran Gajraj, Henry Grantham, George Hallas, Joss Hiett, Natascha Matten, Jessica Morgan, Katie Roberts, Jeremy Soper, Jamie Willman and Hugh Willman (secondary school winners) of Taunton School in Devon, supported by their teacher Dr James Penny; and to Charlotte Benwell, Ruth Blake-Lobb, Jamie Couch, Stephanie Errington, Daniel Finnerty, Katherine House, Alexander Locock, Hannah McArthur, Patricia McCarthy, Adam Morris, Connor Pote, Lucy Prior, Sophie Rowntree and Samuel Tucker (overall winners) of Ridgeway School in Plymouth, supported by their teacher Mrs Karen Findlay; applauds the students' outstanding entries in the RSC Bill Bryson science competition; and further notes the unrivalled contribution that the study of chemistry and the chemical sciences have made and continue to make to our understanding of nature, to the quality of life, and to the knowlege economy of the 21st century.

That this House applauds the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its commitment to encourage an interest in science among young people; applauds the efforts that are being made throughout the United Kingdom, especially by teachers in primary and secondary schools, to revitalise the science curriculum and to convey the...

That this House recognises that the closure or the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) on 31 March 2009, mid-way through the Government's consultation into the future regulation of forensic practitioners, has left a hiatus in regulation; further recognises the important role that forensic scientists play in providing expert witness in the criminal and civil courts; is concerned that the 3,000 practitioners, covering 29 specialties of forensic science, who are registered with the CRFP are no longer regulated; and believes that as the Government looks to design a new regulatory model that a robust and thorough debate around the future of the sector is required.

That this House recognises that the closure or the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) on 31 March 2009, mid-way through the Government's consultation into the future regulation of forensic practitioners, has left a hiatus in regulation; further recognises the important role that forensic scientists play in providing...

That this House acknowledges the magnificent contribution to science made by Greenock-born inventor James Watt; notes that since 1889 his surname has been used internationally to denote a unit of power; is therefore dismayed at moves by the European Union to replace the traditional Watt measurement with the Lumen; is concerned that this may lead to confusion among consumers; believes that this runs contrary to recent moves to celebrate the achievement of British scientists; and calls on the Government to block this proposal and ensure that the Watt remains a common unit of power.

That this House acknowledges the magnificent contribution to science made by Greenock-born inventor James Watt; notes that since 1889 his surname has been used internationally to denote a unit of power; is therefore dismayed at moves by the European Union to replace the traditional Watt measurement with the Lumen; is...

That this House congratulates Jack Henderson, a young inventor from Cardigan, on his success in the last year, which includes winning the WJEC/Welsh Assembly Government Innovation Awards 2008, being a Double Gold Medal Winner at the British Invention Show 2008, and being a runner-up in the National Science Competition, the Young Technologist of the Year, winning the BAE Systems Special Award for Technology 2009; notes that Jack has been featured on national and regional media, providing inspiration for other young inventors; acknowledges the support given to Jack by Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, which has encouraged him to develop his talents; wishes Jack well for the future; and looks forward to following his future successes.

That this House congratulates Jack Henderson, a young inventor from Cardigan, on his success in the last year, which includes winning the WJEC/Welsh Assembly Government Innovation Awards 2008, being a Double Gold Medal Winner at the British Invention Show 2008, and being a runner-up in the National Science Competition, the...

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry on holding its Parliamentary Links Day on 24 June 2009 on the theme of science and global security; welcomes the society's commitment to serve the public interest by improving the access of all hon. Members to scientific information and a better understanding of science; notes the keynote address by the right hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; notes that other speakers include Professor Dave Garner, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Lord Rees of Ludlow, President of the Royal Society, Dr Scott Steedman, Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor Paul Monks, Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Alan Malcolm, Chief Executive of the Institute of Biology, Mr Alan Pratt, Vice President of the Institute of Physics, Dr Richard Herrington of the Geological Society, and welcomes the participation of the hon. Member for Windsor, Shadow Minister for Science and Innovation, the hon. Member for Harrogate, Chair of the Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, and Professor John Beddington, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser; further notes that the Parliamentary Links Day is an established and respected event on the annual Parliamentary calendar; further notes that the Royal Society of Chemistry's pioneering Parliamentary Link Scheme, pairing scientists with Members, is open to right hon. and hon. Members on all sides of the House; and further welcomes the continuing contribution that the Parliamentary Links Day makes to strengthening the dialogue between Parliament and the science and engineering community.

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry on holding its Parliamentary Links Day on 24 June 2009 on the theme of science and global security; welcomes the society's commitment to serve the public interest by improving the access of all hon. Members to scientific information and a better...

That this House notes with concern that the number of school students choosing to study physical science subjects post-16 has fallen over the last 25 years; recognises the significant contribution that outdoor learning makes to increasing students' enthusiasm for science and helping them on their way to becoming the new scientists of the future; notes with concern that there are currently a number of barriers to improving fieldwork, including Initial Teacher Training which is not working effectively enough to help produce sufficient numbers of high quality teachers with confidence, competence and commitment to teach outdoor science to the next generation of children and young people; further notes with concern that Qualified Teacher Status standard 30 only requires that trainee teachers should be able to identify opportunities for out-of-school learning, with no requirement for trainees to plan, organise, take part in, and lead outdoor learning activities; congratulates the Field Studies Council (FSC), an environmental education charity committed to helping people understand and be inspired by the natural world, on its campaign to improve teacher training; and calls on the Department for Children, Schools and Families to support the FSC's campaign to introduce minimum standards in Initial Teacher Training and urgently to review Qualified Teacher Status standard 30.

That this House notes with concern that the number of school students choosing to study physical science subjects post-16 has fallen over the last 25 years; recognises the significant contribution that outdoor learning makes to increasing students' enthusiasm for science and helping them on their way to becoming the new...

That this House congratulates all of the competitors in the 2009 British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) and hopes that those selected to travel to Mexico to compete in the International Olympiad are able to do so safely; praises the BPhO's excellent efforts in inspiring young people to further study in physics; recognises the importance of these efforts at a time when six out of 10 science, technology, engineering and mathematics employers state that they are having difficulty recruiting; regrets that the Department for Children, Schools and Families has decided to discontinue funding for the UK team to travel to the international competition; and calls on the Government to reinstate this funding.

That this House congratulates all of the competitors in the 2009 British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) and hopes that those selected to travel to Mexico to compete in the International Olympiad are able to do so safely; praises the BPhO's excellent efforts in inspiring young people to further study in physics;...

That this House recognises the importance of research by higher education institutions into robotics to the scientific community and the UK as a whole; congratulates Professor Ross King of Aberystwyth University and the team of scientists from Aberystwyth and Cambridge led by him on their development of what they believe is the first robotic system, Adam, that can independently discover new scientific knowledge, developing its own hypotheses and testing these through experiments; welcomes the important practical applications this research could have for scientists across many different fields to allow them to carry out research more efficiently; acknowledges the wide coverage and respect that this work has generated for Aberystwyth University globally; further recognises the quality of the university's Computer Science department and the contribution that the department makes to the University's reputation, both nationally and internationally; and looks forward to the next phase of this work, which hopes through the project's second robotic system, Eve, to be able to assist scientists in the search for new drugs to combat diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis.

That this House recognises the importance of research by higher education institutions into robotics to the scientific community and the UK as a whole; congratulates Professor Ross King of Aberystwyth University and the team of scientists from Aberystwyth and Cambridge led by him on their development of what they believe...

That this House greatly welcomes the special scientific exhibition entitled SET for BRITAIN which is being held in the Palace of Westminster as part of this year's National Science and Engineering Week; notes that this event in the Commons Terrace marquee is designed to strengthen the dialogue between Parliament and the science and engineering community; further notes that there will be three consecutive sessions incorporating a total of 180 scientific posters by early-stage and early-career researchers covering the biological and biomedical sciences, the physical sciences (chemistry and physics), and engineering; further notes that prizes will be awarded to those posters judged the best in each scientific discipline; encourages all right hon. and hon. Members to visit this exhibition to see at first hand the outstandingly high quality of research which is being carried out in British universities; pays tribute to the late Dr Eric Wharton who founded this event a decade ago; and greatly welcomes the co-operation in organising SET for BRITAIN of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Biology and others; and further notes that the success of the UK in the competitive knowledge economy of the 21st century is going to depend on its world-class scientific and engineering expertise.

That this House greatly welcomes the special scientific exhibition entitled SET for BRITAIN which is being held in the Palace of Westminster as part of this year's National Science and Engineering Week; notes that this event in the Commons Terrace marquee is designed to strengthen the dialogue between Parliament and...