Chairman of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills (IUSS) Committee, Phil Willis MP has welcomed the decision of the House of Commons to establish a Science and Technology Committee from 1 October 2009.
Earlier this month Willis was dismayed when the government abolished the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and he called on the Government to establish a separate science and technology committee to safeguard future science policy.
"This relegated science to non-league status in a monster department," said Willis.
He warned that the future of science scrutiny is at risk following the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (IUSS) and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Willis has been campaigning for science and technology to have a select committee of their own. Now the House of Commons has agreed to create of a new Science and Technology Committee.
"I cannot stress enough how vital the role of this Committee will be in ensuring that the Government’s science policy is held to account and that adequate attention is given to such a crucial policy area," said Willis.
The new Committee will have the same membership and the same cairman as the IUSS Committee.