Coming to the front door of the Ian Taylor constituency office in Webridge, Surrey, I was surprised to hear the sound of stepping on my feet --
Like a group of people cheering for their heroes.
In the election campaign, it was a little early to hold a ginger meeting (
And then there's four weeks)
On that dayit was only 11. 30am.
The answer becomes clear when the door is opened: the noise is old
Old-fashioned printing machine, print out a copy of the flyer reading "New Labor, New Danger.
At the same time, the Minister of Science and Technology is busy with his own business: the parliamentary mandate gives him a chance to use email at home
He explained.
His seat is a safe bet: in 1992, he was second in support in any Conservative constituency (
Second only to John Major).
The change in the border has expanded the constituency, but most may continue to exist. Science -
This is hardly the headline news for this government. Disagree? Think of BSE; Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease; global warming;
Thinning of the ozone layer;
Death of new E. coli varieties;
1 Pounds 500-meter rockets have destroyed past and future British scientific research. Vacation last summer
Dolly the sheep
All of this has an impact on our economy and health.
Logically, the same is true of the ruling party's attitude, emphasis and funding to science.
When it comes to science policy, Ian Taylor has a bit to say right away.
"Given that I am the minister now, it would be very interesting if I said I was going to do something completely different.
I firmly believe that continuing and following the right policies is part of the strategy.
We don't promise to do what we have never done before.
"So: Don't shake the boat.
The ship of Conservative science policy will continue.
The question is, what course?
Is the direction in which we have sailed in the last 5, 10 or 18 years correct?
The British Association for the Advancement of Science provides the following basic questions.
No party was notified in advance and no response from the other parties was seen.
How do you suggest representing science and related issues at cabinet level?
They are already.
We have a minister of science in our cabinet. Ian Lang [
Chairman of the trade commission
We have the chief scientific advisor (CSA)
He has access to the Prime Minister and Cabinet committee.
He had the right to participate in the committee and could turn to everyone for help, to listen and to express his views, which he did.
To be frank, these are the key decisions to be made.
There is a great myth when the Office of Science and Technology (OST)
Taken out of the Cabinet Office [
When it was put into the Ministry of Trade and Industry in 1995 --the DTI].
The "Cabinet Office" is not a powerful department.
It deals with government machines, but it is not a sponsorship department.
In fmri, we made it clear that instead of lowering the level of science, we made it more closely related to providing tdi.
What advice do you have to improve the quality and standards of science and mathematics teaching in GCSE and-level?
In particular, how will you attract excellent scientists to teach?
This is an amazing question.
In the words of Tony Blair, we cannot wave our wand.
Teachers with engineering background are not available.
We are striving for an early retirement;
If we can teach these people, they can bring that to education.
This will improve the quality of teaching in the school environment.
But in general, we will continue to develop the power of national curriculum.
Do you think the internet will have an impact on teaching?
Turning a teacher into an observer of a child's learning?
The Internet is amazing.
We have to provide it at school, but in a teaching-related way.
You can't just turn on the computer and want the students to have a better education.
It cannot replace the book, but it can open the world outside the book.
What are your intentions for a backlog of equipment investments that plague senior industrialists, plus a shortage of £ 500 in basic research equipment? (
In last August, a report by the British Association for Scientific savings estimated that it would cost £ 500 to bring the university laboratory to health and safety standards alone. )
A report from PREST [
University of Manchester Science Policy Research Institute
It shows that in many cases the problem is not as serious as claimed.
But we recognize two issues.
Need to keep up with health and safety programs in teaching labs that may not be able to access funding under private finance initiatives (PFI)-
About 50.
Second, it is more difficult that people who join the industry from universities have no experience in using the latest equipment.
It's ridiculous to think that universities can keep up with the times, so what we have to do is create centers of excellence.
This is a question of cooperation.
But in many cases, the university says they don't have the equipment.
I don't accept it.
There is a problem with the equipment, but it cannot be solved.
We will pay more attention to the center of excellence, the center of cooperation and the center of cooperation with the industry.
The industry is also interested in this in the long run.
Over the years, the real value of basic research funds has been declining.
What is your intention to stop falling?
Establish a moderate truthterm growth -
May be related to GDP performance?
No real-
The deadline for science funds has declined.
If you accept the science budget, its actual value has risen by 20 in the last 10 years.
The problem studied by the government is that military spending has declined.
If you remove the numbers, then from a practical point of view, the basic research is doing very well in the overall budget decisions that have been made.
Harry croto, winner of 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, seems to disagree.
But he benefited from funding from the Research Committee.
Some studies have shown that every time we spend 1 pound, we will get the highest number of citations in the world. [
OST, published in Science last year. ]
It all depends on the output metrics you use.
But I think the science in Britain can be big-headed.
In terms of salary, are you aware of the relative decline in academic pay over the last 15 years or so?
Are you worried?
What are you going to do about it?
Of course I know, because my attention is academic.
This is a negotiation between them and the university.
I think you will find that the university is trying to solve this problem.
But I have to give this to the Department of Education.
Still, let's say, I 've found a lot of intelligence between the vice presidents. chancellors.
How do you suggest working with the industry to stimulate greater market demand for high-end products
Quality scientists and engineers
Reflecting this need with more attractive career opportunities and salaries?
I think we won the battle.
I am excited about the response of the Science Week and the successful year of engineering.
We're trying to promote these numbers, which I think are very
The average starting salary of engineering graduates is 15,200, while the starting salary of all other graduates is 12,500approximately.
The unemployment rate for engineers is 3%, while for most other graduates it is 5%, 6.
6 percentage points nationwide.
I think these should get more publicity.
It can encourage young people to continue to study these subjects because they can see a more attractive future.
Why do scientists vote for you?
Well, I think both the Liberal Democratic Party and the Labor Party. . .
No, it's not something they won't do.
This is about what you will do.
Why vote for you?
Because we have protected and developed the scientific foundation of the country, we have also launched a range of targeted programs to ensure that we do not miss --
For example, the Committee on foresight and biotechnology.
We will continue to ensure that we focus on key areas that we believe need help.
We have the right framework, the research committee works well, we have addressed the need to get more efficient from previous options, and I think we have the right attitude to start a business in the UK.
Finally: Let's say you win again and you're the Minister of Technology.
By the end of the next parliament, what is one thing you want to achieve?
One thing I want is to get tangible evidence that British companies are aware of the importance of the scientific foundation, thus increasing the percentage of R & D revenue.
I say this because I believe that the foundation of science is alive and good, but there are things we can do better --
For example, moving from a scientific foundation to business shifts the ideas we need in a modern global society.
This is the second of three interviews with the science policy of major political parties.
You are welcome to comment on the practices of both parties.
If enough, they will be collected and presented on Tuesday before the election.
Writing to the scientific editor of The Independent
Free shipping carthur @ independent. co. uk.