UK Science Minister defends government's record on nanotechnology
The UK's Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Sainsbury, has defended his government's record on nanotechnology, after a recent report from the House of Commons science and technology select committee blamed policy makers and the scientific community for losing the UK its leadership role in the field. The report cited a lack of foresight within the UK government's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the wider scientific community as the reason for the decline, after early investment in nanotechnology research had placed the country in a leadership position. But in a letter to the Financial Times, Lord Sainsbury accused the select committee's report of underestimating the 'substantial investments government has been making in nanotechnology.' 'The 90 million GBP [137 million euro] I announced for micro and nanotechnology last July is just the latest in a series of investments in this important emerging technology; for example the Research Councils are currently investing about 70 million GBP [106 million euro] a year into nanotechnology research,' he argued. However, Lord Sainsbury admitted that many companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) were as yet unaware of the potential of nanotechnology, and therefore announced the creation of a national network to raise awareness and facilitate access to micro and nanotechnology facilities in the UK. 'We have already received more then 30 bids from existing UK centres to provide a service to industry in the development of new micro and nanotechnology products and services, and will be making an announcement about the first centre soon,' he said. Lord Sainsbury concluded by saying that the select committee was right to identify nanotechnology as a priority, and pledged that the government would work hard to create the best possible conditions for future innovations in the area.
Countries
United Kingdom