Science Minister declines to attend Committee hearing

• Letter from Sam Gyimah MP, Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation
• Science and Technology Committee

This is despite him being the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation – all of which are directly related to the issue. This inquiry is considering trends and developments in research fraud, misconduct and mistakes in research and the publication of research results (at universities).

Research by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology indicates the trend in misconduct/mistakes in publishing is still upwards. There has also been a so-called 'crisis in reproducibility' of research.

Norman Lamb MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said:

“I am disappointed that the science minister has decided not to appear before the Committee this week, to answer our questions on research Integrity.

“He tells us that the detail of how Government-funded research is undertaken, and its standards and integrity, is not a matter for him. This risks pre-judging our questions, including on the scope and appetite for a different regulatory approach in this area.

“The Committee will closely probe the minister's position in the session with Sir Mark Walport, CEO of UK Research & Innovation. The minister's non-attendance risks the research community concluding that this important area is not a ministerial priority.”

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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