Invention In Britain

EDM number 362 in 1995-96, proposed by Nigel Jones on 31/01/1996.

That this House notes the comments of Sir Martin Rees, President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, that research, within which lie the seeds of invention, is in danger of being damaged in Britain by excessive management forced on research councils by Government policy; supports the view that curiosity cannot always be packaged into proposals that meet the needs of research councils charged with harnessing science to wealth creation; is concerned that really original work seldom fits the predetermined criteria for support, and the most creative of individuals may be discouraged from even starting a research career; and urges the Government to undertake an urgent review of support for science in order to encourage British science which has a proud record of achievement which has led in the past to British scientists winning Nobel prizes at a rate far in excess of any other nation.

This motion has been signed by a total of 34 MPs.