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Departmental Scientists

Answer

The Government are committed to taking decisions based on the best possible scientific and engineering advice. The "Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making" describe how evidence should be sought and applied to enhance the ability of Government to take better informed decisions. The "Guidelines" make clear that expert advisers and decision makers have clearly separated roles, stating that experts "should not be expected to take into account potential political reaction to their findings before presenting them" (paragraph 22).The Government's "Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees" clearly states that a committee's advice "should be seen as independent of Government" (paragraph 84), and that Government officials should respect "the committee's independence" (paragraph 52). The independence of committee members is also underlined, with the Code stating that they "are appointed as individuals to fulfil the role of the committee, not as representatives of their particular profession, employer or interest group" (paragraph 32).Regardless of their area of professional expertise, all civil servants are bound by the "Civil Service Code" which states that they must be impartial and "provide information and advice, including advice to Ministers, on the basis of the evidence, and accurately present the options and facts and take due account of expert and professional advice".Finally, the "Universal Ethical Code for Scientists", which is relevant to anyone whose work uses scientific methods, including social, natural, medical and veterinary sciences, engineering and mathematics, states that scientists should "not knowingly mislead, or allow others to be misled, about scientific matters and must present and review scientific evidence, theory or interpretation honestly and accurately".

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

501 c980-1W; 301728

Session

2009-10

Subjects

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Scientists

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk