Can the government's life sciences strategy become a reality? Lords to hear evidence from across the scientific community

The evidence session is an opportunity for the Committee to hear the witness's reactions to Sir John Bell's Life Sciences Industrial Strategy, identify areas which they feel could be improved and discuss how it can be implemented.

At 10:10am the Committee will hear from:

• Dr Annette Bramley, Head of Healthcare Technologies, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council;
• Sir John Savill, Chief Executive, Medical Research Council;
• Ms Louise Wren, Policy Adviser, Wellcome Trust; and
• Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research UK

At 11:10am the Committee will hear from:

• Professor James Stirling CBE FRS, Provost, Imperial College London;
• Professor David Price FGS, Vice-Provost, University College London;
• Professor John Atherton, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham;
• Professor Chris Lowe OBE, University of Cambridge

At 12:10 the Committee will hear from:

• Professor Philip Nelson, Chair, Research Councils UK

Questions which the Committee are likely to ask include:

• Who should be responsible for delivering the Life Sciences Strategy and to whom should they be accountable?
• Should the Government appoint a Life Sciences Minister?
• Are there any features in the strategy – or any gaps – that should have been handled differently?
• How can collaboration between researchers and the NHS be improved, particularly in light of increased fiscal pressures in the NHS?

The evidence session will begin at 10:10 on Tuesday 10 October in Committee Room 4a of the House of Lords.