| House
of Commons Science & Technology Committee
In January
2003 Robert Key was appointed to the Science and Technology Select
Committee. This Committee scrutinises UK Government and European
Union policy and spending on all aspects of science and technology,
including science education and research.
The eleven
cross-Party Members of Parliament hold Ministers to account and
evaluate new science policies. They scrutinise new legislation
and monitor public spending. They are also responsible to Parliament
for evaluating the work of the seven UK Research Councils.
On his appointment
Robert said, 'I am delighted that The House has appointed me to
this very important committee. Science and its application is
increasingly important to each and every one of us on this planet.
Huge and significant challenges must be confronted - ranging from
future sources of energy to the treatment of disease and the eradication
of poverty. We can only meet these challenges with the help of
science, delivered by appropriate technology.
'The moral
and ethical dimensions of science must be faced squarely and with
confidence. If that is to be achieved we must devote more time
and effort to the teaching of science from the earliest years
in schools.'
If you would
like to know Robert's views on science, energy, genetic modification
or cloning, please enter the key word in this site's search engine.
Robert Key's
constituency of Salisbury has a particularly thriving scientific
community with thousands of jobs dependent on cutting-edge science
and technology. Companies and establishments include The UK Department
of Health's Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, the
Ministry of Defence Science and Technology Laboratories at Porton
Down, QinetiQ aircraft testing and evaluation at Boscombe Down
Airfield , Chemring plc, Woven Electronics, Thales, Dunlop Hiflex,
Bruhn Newtech, Naim Audio and many others.
Recent enquiries
by the Committee include a non-carbon fuel economy, UK science
and Europe, the scientific response to terrorism and light pollution
and astronomy.
For details
of the work of the Science and Technology committee, please visit
their website at www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees
/science_and_technology_committee.cfm
|
Rob
explores sustainable biodiversity in Cornwall
Rob
and Royal Society Dr. Lisa McNeill at Southampton Oceanography
Centre
Rob
inspects anthrax vaccine production at Porton Down
Rob
met the Commissioner for Research in Brussels
