Written Question · S2W-22062 · Session 2
What specific actions have been taken to implement its commitment, referred to in A Science Strategy for Scotland, to ensure the effective …
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific actions have been taken to implement its commitment, referred to in A Science Strategy for Scotland, to ensure the effective use of scientific evidence in policy formulation and resource allocation by government and to review regularly the policies and spending of each of its departments against the key objectives of the strategy and related priorities; what early results have been achieved by these actions, and what the responses have been from the academic and business communities to such actions.
The answer
The Scottish Executivesubscribes to all the principles of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser’sGuidelines on the use of science in government, and implements these as fullyas it can.
The Executive usesscientific evidence, along with many other forms of evidence, as an integraland fundamental part of the policy-making process. An example is the work bythe Health Economics Research Unit, funded by the Scottish Executive, to helpinform policy on banning smoking in public places. Since A Science Strategyfor Scotland was published in 2001, the Executive’s departments which spendsignificantly on scientific research have developed strategies to help targetspending more effectively on research which will help to improve the health andquality of life of the people of Scotland.
The Executive has formed anindependent Scottish Science Advisory Committee, drawn from the academic,business and other parts of the science community, to advise it on prioritiesfor science. This committee has published a number of reports evaluating theExecutive’s progress on meeting science priorities. The Executive has alsoimproved internal co-ordination through regular meetings of the ScienceCross-cutting Group, comprising senior officials having responsibilities formanaging science.
The Executive will befurther strengthening its management of science this year by appointing a LeadChief Scientific Adviser. The post-holder will oversee activity to improvefurther the management of science in the Executive, in partnership with therecently appointed Chief Scientific Adviser in the Environment and RuralAffairs Department and the Chief Scientist in Health Department.
The Executive plans topublish a report very shortly detailing progress on all areas of the sciencestrategy, which will provide further details and examples of the use of sciencein policy-making. The Executive intends over the course of the next year torefresh the science strategy.
The Executive usesscientific evidence, along with many other forms of evidence, as an integraland fundamental part of the policy-making process. An example is the work bythe Health Economics Research Unit, funded by the Scottish Executive, to helpinform policy on banning smoking in public places. Since A Science Strategyfor Scotland was published in 2001, the Executive’s departments which spendsignificantly on scientific research have developed strategies to help targetspending more effectively on research which will help to improve the health andquality of life of the people of Scotland.
The Executive has formed anindependent Scottish Science Advisory Committee, drawn from the academic,business and other parts of the science community, to advise it on prioritiesfor science. This committee has published a number of reports evaluating theExecutive’s progress on meeting science priorities. The Executive has alsoimproved internal co-ordination through regular meetings of the ScienceCross-cutting Group, comprising senior officials having responsibilities formanaging science.
The Executive will befurther strengthening its management of science this year by appointing a LeadChief Scientific Adviser. The post-holder will oversee activity to improvefurther the management of science in the Executive, in partnership with therecently appointed Chief Scientific Adviser in the Environment and RuralAffairs Department and the Chief Scientist in Health Department.
The Executive plans topublish a report very shortly detailing progress on all areas of the sciencestrategy, which will provide further details and examples of the use of sciencein policy-making. The Executive intends over the course of the next year torefresh the science strategy.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-22062 by reference.