To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the case for allowing the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology to exercise powers of scrutiny over proposed research institute closures; and what discussions he has had with the Trades Union Congress on this matter. (143151)

[holding answer 19 June 2007]: Recommendations in the Science and Technology Committee’s report on its Inquiry into the Research Council Institutes, published on 22 March, suggested a greater role for the Office of Science and Innovation in monitoring the Research Council Institutes, including any restructuring of those Institutes. These issues were raised in April at a meeting between myself, as Minister responsible for science and innovation, and Prospect.

The Government’s approach remains that the Research Councils should retain responsibility for the management and organisation of their Research Institutes. Research Councils discuss any proposed closures of such Institutes with local staff trade unions, as a matter of course.

But Ministers and the OSI retain an interest in ensuring the good overall management of our science base and its institutions.