Parliamentary News Release

055/2003

Thursday 18 September 2003

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT SCIENCE INFORMATION SCHEME LAUNCHED

AA one-year pilot Science Information Scheme for MSPs is being launched today at the Scottish Parliament. The Scheme is a collaborative project between the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in association with the Institute of Physics in Scotland and the University of Edinburgh.

The main purpose of this service will be:

• to ensure that all MSPs have access to rapid, reliable and factual information on science, engineering and technology-related issues in order to help inform Parliamentary debates on scientific issues.

The scheme will be operated through a group of 52 Topic Co-ordinators who will act as "sign posts" directing MSP queries to the appropriate expert. Queries will be directed to these topic co-ordinators through the RSC Parliamentary Liaison Officer or SPICe.

Sarah Boyack MSP who will help launch the scheme today said:

“I welcome this one year pilot scheme. Science impacts on so many issues in our lives today and therefore on the work of MSPs, Researchers and Committees in environmental issues, healthcare, education, industry, food and beyond. It’s essential that the best advice and a range of independent, expert viewpoints are at the disposal of MSPs.”

Background

For further information, the media contacts are:

James Mackenzie: 0131 348 5605
email: james.mackenzie@scottish.parliament.uk

Royal Society of Edinburgh
Stuart Brown: 0131 240 5016
email: sbrown@royalsoced.org.uk

Royal Society of Chemistry
Willie Rennie: 0131 220 6779
email: w.rennie@mcewan-purvis.co.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000

For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk