Resurrection for science body
15 Jan 2000
The government is to re-establish the Council for Science and Technology, after a review of its functions by President of the Board of Trade Margaret Beckett. The CST is to resume its role as the government's main advisory body for science, which was interrupted by last year's general election.
The CSTis to have 14 members, drawn from industry and academia. These will include Glaxo Wellcome chief executive Richard Sykes; biotechnology entrepreneur (and academic) Christopher Evans; Rob Margetts, R&T director of ICI; and Julia Higgins, professor of polymer science at Imperial College. The council will report to Tony Blair via Margaret Beckett, who will chair its meetings, on funding arrangements for science and technology; its exploitation by business and government; and international cooperation.
The CSTwas originally set up in 1993, but was disbanded last year because of concerns that it was too secretive and had a low public standing.
