Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on appointing a UK scientist to the Scientific Advice Mechanism High Level Group; and whether he plans to seek such an appointment before the UK leaves the EU.

The members of the High Level Group of Scientific Advisors are appointed by the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation in a personal capacity, based on a short-list recommended by an independent Identification Committee. This short-list also serves as a pool for replacement of members of the group during its first term of office.