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Harris, Evan
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Harris, Evan (12)
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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...
Primary sponsor
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Early day motions
Subjects
Science
Date
23 March 2010
Reference
1173
House
House of Commons
I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. He will be aware that Professor Beddington has set out his concerns and will, I hope, be feeding them into the Government review. However, does the Minister accept that there is genuine concern among publishers of medical journals, for example, about the chilling effect of the threat of libel actions? Would he, or one of his colleagues—perhaps the Minister for Science and Innovation—be willing to meet a delegation of scientists so that they can effectively feed in scientists' concerns to the Ministry of Justice?
I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. He will be aware that Professor Beddington has set out his concerns and will, I hope, be feeding them into the Government review. However, does the Minister accept that there is genuine concern among publishers of medical journals, for example, about the chilling effect of the threat of libel actions? Would he, or one of his colleagues—perhaps the Minister for Science and Innovation—be willing to meet a delegation of scientists so that they can effectively feed in scientists' concerns to the Ministry of Justice?
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 January 2010
The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. The Department is aware of the concern in the scientific community relating to the chilling effect to which he refers. As I said in my response, the Ministry of Justice leads on this matter. I shall refer his remarks to it, and I undertake to ensure that its Ministers are aware of what he has had to say today. I shall keep in touch with him on this matter.
Subjects
Defamation; Science
Date
14 January 2010
Reference
503 c832
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the effects on the science sector of libel laws.
What recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the effects on the science sector of libel laws.
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Ian Lucas
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 January 2010
For answer on
14 January 2010
Answered on
14 January 2010
Ministers at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have held no recent discussions with ministerial colleagues on the effects of libel laws on the science sector. The Justice Secretary leads on the issue of libel law. Professor Beddington, the Government's chief scientific adviser, and officials are in discussions with colleagues from the Ministry of Justice to ensure that science and engineering receive appropriate attention in their consideration of libel law.
Subjects
Defamation; Science
Date
14 January 2010
Reference
503 c832; 310586
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Minister will recognise that science is long term and involves dedication. Does he accept that there is consternation in the science community that, since the latest reshuffle, neither of the words "universities" or "science" appears in the name of his Department? Moreover, the Science Minister and the Secretary of State are both in the House of Lords and therefore unaccountable to this House. The Science Minister is also forced to take on defence duties as well, and there is a real fear that the needs of strategic, long-term science will be subordinate to business. How can he reassure the science community on all those points?
The Minister will recognise that science is long term and involves dedication. Does he accept that there is consternation in the science community that, since the latest reshuffle, neither of the words "universities" or "science" appears in the name of his Department? Moreover, the Science Minister and the Secretary of State are both in the House of Lords and therefore unaccountable to this House. The Science Minister is also forced to take on defence duties as well, and there is a real fear that the needs of strategic, long-term science will be subordinate to business. How can he reassure the science community on all those points?
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 June 2009
I am afraid that I must disagree with the hon. Gentleman. I believe that our Science Minister brings an enormous wealth of expertise from his industrial background that is to the advantage of both the country and the Government. As for the Department, it makes absolute sense to bring together our leading-edge scientific research with support for business and the fields of higher and further education. The economic situation that we face requires all those things to be brought together, in the interests of scientific research and the country's economic future.
Subjects
Research; Science
Date
11 June 2009
Reference
493 c919
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
How much funding his Department is providing for scientific research in 2009-10.
How much funding his Department is providing for scientific research in 2009-10.
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Pat McFadden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 June 2009
For answer on
11 June 2009
Answered on
11 June 2009
My Department will invest some £5.5 billion in research funding in 2009-10. This is made up of the science research budget, which will reach almost £4 billion next year, and the Higher Education Funding Council quality-related research grants.
Subjects
Research; Science
Date
11 June 2009
Reference
493 c918-9; 279003
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Given the Secretary of State's responsibility for science, and given that since the Phillips report on BSE the Government have announced that they will adopt an evidence-based policy and take scientific and other expert advice, is the Secretary of State in any way embarrassed by the Government's decision to reject advice on cannabis reclassification given three times by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, whose advice has never been rejected before?
Given the Secretary of State's responsibility for science, and given that since the Phillips report on BSE the Government have announced that they will adopt an evidence-based policy and take scientific and other expert advice, is the Secretary of State in any way embarrassed by the Government's decision to reject advice on cannabis reclassification given three times by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, whose advice has never been rejected before?
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 November 2008
I think Ministers must show that they have listened to scientific advice and understand where it comes from, and to which questions the scientists were asked to respond, and, if necessary, should weigh that advice with other factors before making a decision.
As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am passionately committed to ensuring that the Government make better use of scientific evidence. I commend to him a report produced last week, at my request, by the Council for Science and Technology on how we can do that. I hope to promote the report's conclusions across government, along with my Ministers and the chief scientific adviser.
Subjects
Cannabis; Drugs; Misuse; Research; Science
Date
20 November 2008
Reference
483 c359
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I welcome the Minister to his new responsibilities in relation to science. Does he recognise the particular challenge involved in recruiting and retaining women in research careers? Given that they leave universities with high levels of debt, face a continuing pay gap and, indeed, publication gaps due to family commitments, and given that we are starting from a low base—especially in some areas—is there not a particular need for Government to give research councils and other employers the tools to enable us to do better by women in science? We need to retain their talents in research.
I welcome the Minister to his new responsibilities in relation to science. Does he recognise the particular challenge involved in recruiting and retaining women in research careers? Given that they leave universities with high levels of debt, face a continuing pay gap and, indeed, publication gaps due to family commitments, and given that we are starting from a low base—especially in some areas—is there not a particular need for Government to give research councils and other employers the tools to enable us to do better by women in science? We need to retain their talents in research.
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 October 2008
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. He will, I hope, be aware of the work of my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) to ensure that women are represented in science and engineering. Indeed, I did some work about that with my hon. Friend in my previous role as Minster with responsibility for skills. The Government have provided direct funding, including pilot funding, to encourage women in those spheres. We are also working with training organisations and trade bodies, particularly in engineering and science, to support women in their careers, including where they are on career breaks because we recognise that when women who have been trained and have an extensive science background leave work to have children, they often come back into science employment at a lower grade, or are unable to regain the positions that they left. We want to support the work of those organisations and trade bodies to ensure that those women are pioneers within science.
Subjects
Women; Employment; Research; Science; Higher education
Date
16 October 2008
Reference
480 c906
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I share the sentiment expressed so eloquently by the Minister at the end of his answer, but does he accept that getting the data right is key? Does he also accept that he should be measured on progress since 1997, rather than picking out what might appear to be a random year for each individual subject? Will he stick to a constant set of data on STEM entrants and base it to 1997 so we can all monitor progress effectively?
I share the sentiment expressed so eloquently by the Minister at the end of his answer, but does he accept that getting the data right is key? Does he also accept that he should be measured on progress since 1997, rather than picking out what might appear to be a random year for each individual subject? Will he stick to a constant set of data on STEM entrants and base it to 1997 so we can all monitor progress effectively?
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
15 November 2007
We are always happy to publish time-series of data in these areas. I was trying to indicate that there has been an increasing problem but that there are some signs that the situation is getting better. It is particularly pleasing that University Colleges Admissions Service acceptances are up by 9 per cent. for maths, 9 per cent. for chemistry and 12 per cent. for physics compared with the previous year. But there is a problem, particularly in computer science, and in that we do not have enough qualified physics teachers in our schools.
Let us not forget some of the progress that has been made, or that the level of science graduates aged between 25 and 34 in the UK work force is higher than in the United States, Germany or Japan. In fact, our figures are 50 per cent. higher than the European Union average. There are a range of further things that we as a Government need to do to encourage the STEM agenda, but we should not forget where we are today in terms of the labour market.
Subjects
Higher education; Science; Young people
Date
15 November 2007
Reference
467 c803
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
May I take this opportunity to welcome the Minister to his new post, as I did when I saw him in the Select Committee? Have the Government had any further thoughts about how to encourage for the science and innovation framework the promotion of careers in science for young people, especially given the relatively poor salary progression that afflicts researchers and the problems faced by indebted graduates, especially women, seeking to make their way in science careers?
May I take this opportunity to welcome the Minister to his new post, as I did when I saw him in the Select Committee? Have the Government had any further thoughts about how to encourage for the science and innovation framework the promotion of careers in science for young people, especially given the relatively poor salary progression that afflicts researchers and the problems faced by indebted graduates, especially women, seeking to make their way in science careers?
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 July 2007
I thank the hon. Gentleman for the question and for his comments; he has highlighted an important issue. The Government are keen to promote the message that there is a valuable career in research. Over the past 10 years, the number of researchers has increased significantly. Applications for science, technology, engineering and mathematics at undergraduate level have recently increased by more than 10 per cent., which is an encouraging sign that more people are applying to study those subjects at university. Making sure that people continue with and progress in careers in research and science is also important, if we are going to make sure that we have a research community that supports our business community and that achieves high growth for the future, which we all want to see.
Subjects
Career development; Vocational guidance; Young people; Research; Science; Annual reports; Innovation
Date
26 July 2007
Reference
463 c1041-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of (a) performance of UK science centres and (b) the adequacy of funding for those centres.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of (a) performance of UK science centres and (b) the adequacy of funding for those centres.
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Darling of Roulanish
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 February 2007
For answer on
22 February 2007
Answered on
22 February 2007
Science centres are one of many ways in which enthusiasm for science can be generated among young people. My Department is providing £500,000 over two years to help science centres become financially viable. Responsibility for funding and performance of these centres is a matter for the centres themselves.
Subjects
Museums and galleries; Science
Date
22 February 2007
Reference
457 c896W;457 c879W; 122149
House
House of Commons
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on post-doctorate scientific careers
Westminster Hall adjournment debate on post-doctorate scientific careers
Lead member
Evan Harris
Answering member
Barry Gardiner
Department
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Contracts; Career development; Finance; Private sector; Pay; Public sector; Universities; Temporary employment; Research; Science
Date
10 January 2006
Reference
441 c66-74WH
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent advice he has received from (a) the Animal Procedures Committee and (b) other sources of independent advice on the scientific validity of animal experiments.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent advice he has received from (a) the Animal Procedures Committee and (b) other sources of independent advice on the scientific validity of animal experiments.
Asked by
Evan Harris
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Andy Burnham
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 November 2005
For answer on
17 November 2005
Answered on
28 November 2005
Three major United Kingdom inquiries have reported since 2002 on the contribution of animal research to science and medicine.In 2002 the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures held that"““On balance, we are convinced that experiments on animals have contributed greatly to scientific advances, both for human medicine and for animal health. Animal experimentation is a valuable research method which has proved itself over time. Toxicological testing in animals is at present essential for medical practice and the protection of consumers and the environment, as it often provides information that is not currently available from any other source.””"The Animal Procedures Committee carried out a review of the cost-benefit assessment in the use of animals in research and reported on this in June 2003. That report clearly states that"““An absolute position that all animal experiments are scientifically invalid is untenable examples of scientifically dubious or invalid animal experiments do not add up to a general proof that animal experimentation as a whole is flawed science.””"In 2005 the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, in their report ““The Ethics of Research Involving Animals””, stated that"““Animal research has been, and can potentially be, scientifically valid, in that it is possible to extrapolate from animal models to humans (or other animals) in specific cases (and) certain animal models have played significant roles in the study of particular diseases and led to the discovery of treatments for human diseases””."The report also states that"““producing a new medicine is a lengthy and complex process, and that decisions on the compounds that should proceed to the next stage are taken using a wide range of information. Tests on animals play a vital role, but they are not the only source of information that is used to determine safety and efficacy.””"We believe these views reflect those of the great majority in the wider scientific community.
Subjects
Animal experiments; Ethics; Medicine; Research; Science
Date
28 November 2005
Reference
440 c25-6W;440 c25-6W; 30415
House
House of Commons