Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 December 2012
11 Dec 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Role of Science in Public Policy
As always, Dr Simpson adds weight to the debate. I am sure that I do not need to add anything further.
Those doubts were raised by one of the UK’s most respected scientists, Professor Hugh Pennington, who argued that the key to the monumental success of British science has been the unimpeded two-way traffic of ideas, money and people across the border. If Scotland was to leave the UK, he views it as inevitable that Scottish research funding would take a hit, hurting universities and their ability to remain a major player.
Fears about research funding in an independent Scotland were also raised by the University and College Union, which claimed that it was concerned that independence might lead to a decrease in research funding for Scotland.
I agree that we must support and recognise the achievements of science and how it feeds into our public policy agenda, but let us acknowledge that there is much work still to be done and let us have an honest debate and analysis of how science in Scotland would be affected by future constitutional change.
I move amendment S4M-05154.2, to insert at end:
“; notes with concern that, although the number of women graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects has increased in recent years, in Scotland only 27% of women graduates in STEM subjects work in the sector they graduated in compared with 52% of male graduates; understands that Scottish universities perform strongly in obtaining UK research funding and that, of the £4.4 billion of funding from research grants and contracts invested across the UK in 2010-11, Scotland received over £613 million, or 13.8%, of the UK total; acknowledges the comments of Professor Hugh Pennington that “if Scotland leaves the UK, its science will take a knock”, and considers that Scottish universities are stronger and better together in the UK.”
14:54
Those doubts were raised by one of the UK’s most respected scientists, Professor Hugh Pennington, who argued that the key to the monumental success of British science has been the unimpeded two-way traffic of ideas, money and people across the border. If Scotland was to leave the UK, he views it as inevitable that Scottish research funding would take a hit, hurting universities and their ability to remain a major player.
Fears about research funding in an independent Scotland were also raised by the University and College Union, which claimed that it was concerned that independence might lead to a decrease in research funding for Scotland.
I agree that we must support and recognise the achievements of science and how it feeds into our public policy agenda, but let us acknowledge that there is much work still to be done and let us have an honest debate and analysis of how science in Scotland would be affected by future constitutional change.
I move amendment S4M-05154.2, to insert at end:
“; notes with concern that, although the number of women graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects has increased in recent years, in Scotland only 27% of women graduates in STEM subjects work in the sector they graduated in compared with 52% of male graduates; understands that Scottish universities perform strongly in obtaining UK research funding and that, of the £4.4 billion of funding from research grants and contracts invested across the UK in 2010-11, Scotland received over £613 million, or 13.8%, of the UK total; acknowledges the comments of Professor Hugh Pennington that “if Scotland leaves the UK, its science will take a knock”, and considers that Scottish universities are stronger and better together in the UK.”
14:54
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-05154, in the name of Alasdair Allan, on the role of scientific evidence in advice on public policy. Mich...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
My speaking notes start with the following observation:“We all make decisions every day. Those decisions are based on what we know and what we think we know....
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I ask the cabinet secretary to confirm that the meeting that he and I were supposed to be having at this very minute is, therefore, postponed.
Michael Russell
SNP
I am happy to say that it is not postponed and the member is now late for it. My officials are leading that meeting and, with the permission of the chamber, ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
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Michael Russell
SNP
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Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
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Michael Russell
SNP
The member makes an important point. I was just about to talk about the sciencewise expert resource centre for public dialogue in science and innovation, whi...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Not me.
Michael Russell
SNP
It was not Mr Findlay, apparently. He is unable to decide whose evidence he can support: mine or that which is still to come from Dr Allan. I am sure that Mr...
Michael Russell
SNP
The objections from Labour members to support for the Tory amendment are quite extraordinary. The evidence base shows that they always support the Tory party...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, cabinet secretary. I think that we are all very pleased to see Dr Allan.I call Neil Findlay to speak to and move amendment S4M-05154.2. Mr Findlay...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome Dr Allan, who has just parachuted in from afar.Science plays a vital role in influencing all that we do as a society and a central part in supporti...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
I wonder why Mr Findlay did not include in that list Mary Fairfax Somerville, after whom committee room 2 is named. She was a well-known female Scottish scie...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I thank the member for that intervention. What do you have to say, Mr Findlay?
Neil Findlay
Lab
I thank Dr Murray for that question—I believe that she was a scientist herself. However, I was referring to the list of the top 10 members of the Scottish sc...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I strongly agree with the member’s point about the need to attract and retain women in STEM subjects, but I am curious about why, in neither his amendment no...
Neil Findlay
Lab
I will come on to that. The issue has a critical role to play because if we take only or largely a male perspective on policy, our policy process is much the...
The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages (Dr Alasdair Allan)
SNP
Does the member acknowledge that the benefit that Scotland reaps in research funding is due not to any act of charity but to the excellence of Scottish insti...
Neil Findlay
Lab
Absolutely. We recognise that and hope that that will continue. However, these are legitimate questions to ask.A recent Universities Scotland briefing paper ...
Dr Simpson
Lab
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Neil Findlay
Lab
As always, Dr Simpson adds weight to the debate. I am sure that I do not need to add anything further. Those doubts were raised by one of the UK’s most respe...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
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Patrick Harvie
Green
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Murdo Fraser
Con
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The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The member must close now.
Murdo Fraser
Con
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George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
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Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
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Patrick Harvie
Green
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