Phil Willis MP, Chair, House of Commons Select Committee on Innovation,
Universities, Science and Skills
Engineering Inquiry report
Speech for the Foundation for Science and Technology debate 7th July, 2009
The slides are at the end of this document.
SLIDE 2
‘To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist the glass is half empty. To the
engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.’
SLIDE 3
The last time I was here addressing the Foundation for Science and Technology was
in 2007. I was discussing the implications for science and technology in the wake of
the disbandment of the DTI and formation of DIUS…
SLIDE 4
Now, almost exactly two years on, I am back. DIUS has been abandoned, and BIS
formed in its place.
SLIDE 5
Before I get onto the engineering report, I would just like to say a quick thank you.
On the announcement of the new department, my colleagues and I on the Innovation,
Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee (or IUSS for short) were inevitably
concerned about Science, Technology and Engineering becoming lost in the new
‘monster’ department headed by Lord Mandelson.
We quickly met and published a report calling on the Government to establish a
Science and Technology Select Committee, and were backed by organisations from
across the sector.
The RSC coordinated a joint letter to Harriet Harman, signed by the Institute of
Physics, The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society to name but a
few. The sheer amount of support for this committee just underlines that the principle
of scrutiny runs right to the heart of the science and engineering community.
What was particularly pleasing was the speed and grace with which Lord Drayson, the
Minister for Science and Innovation, responded. I don’t believe I have ever received
such a prompt response from a Government Minister, nor one that so wholeheartedly
backed our proposals.
With the Government’s support and cross-party agreement, the Science and
Technology Co