Council for Science and Technology (Review)

Friday 7th November 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister for Universities, Science and Cities (Greg Clark)]

Commencement of the Triennial Review of the Council for Science and Technology (CST) was announced in Parliament through a written ministerial statement on 15 April 2013 and I am now pleased to announce the completion of the review.

The Council for Science and Technology was established in 1993 in response to the Government White Paper “Realising our potential: a strategy for science, engineering and technology”. It replaced the Advisory Council on Science and Technology. It is an advisory non-departmental public body to the Prime Minister but, for administrative purposes, it is sponsored by BIS and was therefore included in the programme of triennial reviews undertaken by BIS.

The review concludes that the functions performed by the Council for Science and Technology are still required and that it should be retained as an advisory non-departmental public body. The review also examined the governance arrangements for the Council of Science and Technology in line with guidance on good corporate governance set out by the Cabinet Office. The review concluded that the council operates in line with the principles of good corporate governance for an organisation of its size, but there are a number of opportunities to improve it functions.

The full report of the review of the Council for Science and Technology can be found at: https://www.gov.uk website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.