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

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