Inquiry into engineering in government

In March 2009 the Science and Technology Committee published its report on Engineering: turning ideas into reality (PDF 822.93 KB). The inquiry looked at four case studies: nuclear engineering, plastic electronics engineering, geoengineering and engineering in government. The engineering in government case study examined how the Government used engineering advice and expertise in policy.

Terms of Reference

The Committee seeks written submissions on the following matters:

• Since the 2009 Engineering inquiry, has the role of engineering evidence, expertise and advice in Government improved?
• Are structures within Government now designed to optimise  engagement with engineering communities and input to decision-making?
• How has the Government’s relationship with the engineering community changed?
• Are there specific engineering sectors where engagement with Government should be improved? How could improvements be made?

Submitting written evidence

The Committee invites written submissions on these issues by midday on Tuesday 1 November 2011.

Each submission should:

• be no more than 3,000 words in length;
• be in Word format with as little use of colour or logos as possible;
• have numbered paragraphs; and
• include a declaration of interests.

A copy of the submission should be sent by e-mail to scitechcom@parliament.uk and marked "Engineering". An additional paper copy should be sent in due course (not by the deadline) to:

The Clerk
Science and Technology Committee
House of Commons
7 Millbank
London SW1P 3JA

Please note that:

• Material already published elsewhere should not form the basis of a submission, but may be referred to within a proposed memorandum, in which case a hard copy of the published work should be included.
• Memoranda submitted must be kept confidential until published by the Committee, unless publication by the person or organisation submitting it is specifically authorised.
• Once submitted, evidence is the property of the Committee. The Committee normally, though not always, chooses to make public the written evidence it receives, by publishing it on the internet (where it will be searchable), by printing it or by making it available through the Parliamentary Archives. If there is any information you believe to be sensitive you should highlight it and explain what harm you believe would result from its disclosure. The Committee will take this into account in deciding whether to publish or further disclose the evidence.
• Select Committees are unable to investigate individual cases.

More information on submitting evidence to Select Committees may be found on the parliamentary website at: http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/take-part-in-committee-inquiries/witness/