Tech committee returns to Westminster

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A House of Commons vote has secured the return of a Science and Technology Committee yesterday, after it was abolished in 2007.

The renewed committee will return on 1 October 2009, once the existing Innovation, Universities, Skills, and Science Committees (IUSS) has completed its current business.

Following the re-establishment, Lord Drayson said: "Science and technology have a vital role helping the country through the recession, and in achieving a stronger, sustainable economic future.”

MPs initially raised concerns regarding the government's policy on science and technology as they felt its importance was being marginalised in the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Nick Dusic, the director of CaSE, who lobbied for the re-establishment, said: “Today’s decision showed that there is strong support for proper scrutiny of science and engineering within Parliament."

He added: “It is critical that future changes to government do not result in the abolition of the Science and Technology Committee. Today’s decision corrects the mistake made in 2007 of abolishing the Committee."

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