RSSeNEWS to be determined...

Parliament's Science and Technology select committee has published its contribution to the Government's review of the principles that should apply to the treatment of independent scientific advice provided to government. The Committee calls for the finalised principles to become part of the Ministerial Code as well as part of the Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making used by Whitehall and the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees.

The Government's review follows concerns raised by scientists in the aftermath of the sacking of Professor David Nutt from the post of Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs by the Home Secretary.

In its press notice the Committee welcomes the set of principles published on 6 November 2009 by leading academics, including Royal Statistical Society President, Professor David Hand, following the dismissal of Professor Nutt. The Committee says that it reflects the thrust of the conclusions and recommendations made in its earlier reports, although some refinements are required.

Commenting on the report Phil Willis MP, Chairman of the Committee, said:

"It is of importance that ministers, civil servants and scientists agree a set of principles.  But this is only the first step.

"The Government needs to go further. The Committee calls on the Government to make administrative changes to ensure the principles are upheld and become part of civil service and ministerial culture. We therefore recommend that the Codes and Guidelines, including the Ministerial Code, enshrine the principles."