Science in emergencies examined with experts
2 June 2016
The Science and Technology Committee holds its first evidence session on Science in emergencies: chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents.
- Watch Parliament TV: Science in emergencies: chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident
- Inquiry: Science in emergencies: chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident
- Science and Technology Committee
Witnesses
Tuesday 7 June 2016, Committee Room 6
At 2.45pm
- Christopher Abbott, Chairman, Emergency Planning Society CBRN Professional Working Group
- Professor Patrick Regan, Science Area Leader for Radioactivity, National Physical Laboratory
- James Webster, Civil Contingencies Officer, Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit
- Andy Bell, Deputy CBRN(E) Lead, Chief Fire Officers' Association
At 3.45pm
- Phil Evans, Government Services Director, Met Office
- Dr Dame Sue Ion FREng FRS, Chair, Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board
- Dr Edward Sykes, Senior Media Manager, Science Media Centre
Purpose of the session
This is the first of two evidence sessions for the “Science in emergencies: CBRN incidents” inquiry. The session will explore the use of science in planning for, detecting and responding to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents. The Committee will also be questioning witnesses on public communications in the event of a CBRN emergency and use of the media.
Background
The inquiry follows previous Committee reports 'Scientific advice and evidence in emergencies' in 2011 and 'Science in Emergencies: UK lessons from Ebola' in January 2016. The inquiry coincides with the 5th anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan and the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine.
Further information
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