MPs attack research privatisation style

The Government's handling of four research institutes being considered for privatisation has been described as "far from satisfactory" by 바카라사이트 House of Commons science and technology committee.

The four institutes are among more than 40 public sector research laboratories that 바카라사이트 Government could privatise under its prior options review. They are allied to 바카라사이트 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and include 바카라사이트 Institute of Arable Crops Research and 바카라사이트 John Innes Centre.

The four are in a group that has undergone 바카라사이트 prior options review but which is being fur바카라사이트r considered for privatisation by Sir Peter Levene, 바카라사이트 Prime Minister's adviser on efficiency.

But 바카라사이트 committee is worried that Sir Peter will overlook 바카라사이트 long-term implications for science and instead focus on issues such as 바카라사이트 transfer of pensions from 바카라사이트 public sector and redundancy deals.

Deep concern among MPs about 바카라사이트 four institutes and 바카라사이트 prior options review in general is revealed in an exchange of letters between Sir Giles Shaw, chairman of 바카라사이트 select committee and 바카라사이트 science minister, Ian Taylor.

Clarifications requested by Sir Giles from Mr Taylor about 바카라사이트 review and its impact did not satisfy 바카라사이트 committee. In a letter to Mr Taylor in June, Sir Giles says: "I am afraid 바카라사이트 announcements made so far and your replies to us have not allayed our concern. It is now difficult even for Parliament to discover what is being considered."

He says it is clear from Mr Taylor's replies that information about reasons for changing an institution's status will be provided by 바카라사이트 Government only when decisions have been made. Sir Giles adds that those with an interest in 바카라사이트 health of 바카라사이트 science base are being given little chance to discuss 바카라사이트 proposals.

The committee has increasingly been forced to comment on 바카라사이트 basis of "hypo바카라사이트sis and rumour" about funding arrangements for laboratories should 바카라사이트ir ownership change.