Science in the Met Office : thirteenth report of session 2010-12 / House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Science and Technology.
Date:
2012
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Science in the Met Office : thirteenth report of session 2010-12 / House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Oversight of Met Office science 21. MOSAC was set up 15 years ago to oversee Met Office science, following the change to Trading Fund status (see paragraph 4).”> We took evidence from the Chair of MOSAC, Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, who is also the atmospheric scientist on the Met Office Board.” We questioned Sir Brian about whether there was a potential conflict of interest between his role as Chair of MOSAC and as a member of the Met Office board, particularly given that, as the Chair of MOSAC, he is required to report to the Met Office Board.” In response, he told us that the current arrangement provided a “very good conduit” from the science to the board, and that as “a pretty independent sort of guy” he felt “no conflict whatsoever”. 22. Sir Brian explained that he was responsible for selecting the other members of MOSAC, in consultation with the Met Office.” Its membership comprises top atmospheric scientists in the UK and the equivalent of chief scientists from a number of Met Services around the world.” Sir Brian told us that while this may look as if MOSAC was “parading [its] programme in front of [its] competitors”, he personally ensured that MOSAC got valuable input from all its members.*' 23. In the past, MOSAC’s remit covered only weather prediction.* Under the new science strategy, the remit has been expanded to include both weather and climate science.** The strategy also states that existing Science Review Groups (SRGs) for reviewing specific areas will “continue for as long as required by the relevant Customer Groups” and that the Chairs of those groups would also be members of MOSAC.** The Government said in its memorandum that: In considering changes to the remit and terms of reference of MOSAC we would encourage the Met Office to reflect on the independence of the Committee and the Principles on Scientific Advice to Government, noting the revised Code of Practice for Science Advisory Committees (CoPSAC) to be published in the Autumn. This identifies best practice guidelines and provides practical advice on the operation of Science Advisory Committees.* We were not clear, however, from the conversation we had with the Chairs of MOSAC and the Hadley Centre SRG, whether they adhere to the principles set out in CoPSAC, although 7 Ev 59, para7 7% Ev 60, paras 8-9 Met Office, Met Office science strategy 2010-2015, November 2010, p9 ey £Q70 OT 80 Ev 60, para 8 [Professor Sir Brian Hoskins] le a Ev w8, para 6 [Australian Bureau of Meteorology] Ev w8, para 6 [Australian Bureau of Meteorology]; and Met Office, Met Office science strategy 2010-2015, November 2010, p 9 Met Office, Met Office science strategy 2010-2015, November 2010, p9