FUTURE OF WELSH SCIENCE IN JEOPARDY

8.49.18am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 24th Oct 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat Enterprise, Innovation and Networks spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern for the future of science in Wales, due to lack of support from the Assembly Government.

Her concern follows the First Minster's decision to reject key recommendations in the EIN committee's report in its review of Welsh science policy.

Ms Williams said: "The First Minister has refused to accept our recommendation that a Chief Scientist be appointed, on the grounds that the UK Government's Chief Scientist is also available to the First Minsters of Wales and Scotland. This has not stopped Scotland appointing its own Chief Scientific Advisor, to champion science in Scotland and represent Scotland in certain high level scientific committees in Whitehall. Wales, I fear, has no such champion.

"Against the odds, there is some important scientific work going on in Wales. The future does not look rosy, however, with jobs under threat at important institutions such as IGER, and our higher education institutions lagging behind in research standards and funding. Science in Wales has a proud history - the equals sign was invented by a Welshman; the inventor of the electrocardiograph came from Taff's Well. To ensure future generations of Welsh scientists can flourish and prosper here, the Government must start to take more of an interest and show some real support for the industry."

Notes:

§ The EIN's review of Science Policy in Wales was published in September, with a list of 18 recommendations. The First's Minister's response accepts some recommendations, while rejecting others, including calls to establish a Chief Scientist.

§ Only 5 of the 45 science, engineering and medicine departments at higher education institutions in Wales received a 5* rating in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. As a comparison, Bristol alone has 10 5* departments.

§ The = symbol, now universally accepted in mathematics to mean equality, was first used by Welsh mathematician Robert Recorde in 1557.

§ Sir Thomas Lewis FRS (1881-1945) form Taff's Well pioneered the development of the electrocardiograph.