space weather events, solar flares,
Space weather events: is the Government prepared?
10 November 2010
The Science and Technology Committee takes evidence on the Government's ability to deal with space weather events in a session on scientific advice and evidence in emergencies.
'Space weather' refers to changes in the near-Earth space environment, caused by varying conditions in the sun's atmosphere.
Witnesses
The session starts at 9.30am in the Thatcher Room, Portcullis House.
- Professor Paul Cannon FREng, Royal Academy of Engineering
- Professor Mike Hapgood, Royal Astronomical Society
- Chris Train, Network Operations Director, National Grid
At 10.30 am
- Professor Brian Collins, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- Phil Evans, Director of Government Business, Met Office
- Paul Hollinshead, Director of Science and Innovation Group, Department of Energy and Climate Change
- Phil Lawton, Downstream Gas and Electricity Resilience Manager, Department of Energy and Climate Change
Further sessions, including one on cyber security, will be announced in due course. The Committee held a session on swine flu on 20 October and a session on volcanic ash on 3 November.