Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser to be quizzed by Lords Science and Technology Committee

Prof McLean is also Head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession. Prior to this, she was the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence.  

Questions will focus on the Government’s science policy, including the use of AI in delivering public services, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the engineering biology sector - in particular, the role of pro-active regulation. 

The cross-party committee is currently conducting an inquiry into engineering biology which is due to report early next year. 

On the Government’s science policy, questions which may be asked include:

• What is the Chief Scientific Adviser’s priority for science advice to the new Government? 
• How is she seeking to embed science advice in new structures of Government, such as the Mission Boards? 
• How much can science advisers do to pro-actively consider and anticipate what the future crises might be and make sure they are ready to provide timely advice? 
• What advice is she giving to the Government around the adoption of AI in public services, in particular to ensure there is accountability when decisions are made? 

On engineering biology:

• How can the Government make the National Vision for Engineering Biology a success? 
• How is the engineering biology sector regulated and what reforms are needed?  
• How should the Government look to regulation to encourage innovation in the engineering biology sector? What role will the new Regulatory Innovation Office play? 

The Lords committee is chaired by Baroness Brown. Its full membership is here.    

The Lords committee session will be available to watch live or on demand on Parliament TV or in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster. Details of how to attend are here