POST is one of a number of bodies in Parliament whose work involves science and technology. We work closely with the Libraries, Select Committees and All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
The House of Commons Library
The House of Commons Library's Science and Environment section answers enquiries from MPs and publishes Standard Notes and Research Papers on science and technology topics.
Select Committees
Both Houses have a Science and Technology Select Committee. The House of Commons committee scrutinises the work of the Government Office of Science and examines the activities of other departments where they have implications for, or make use of, science, engineering, technology and research. The House of Lords committee has a broad remit “to consider science and technology”. It scrutinises Government policy by undertaking cross-departmental inquiries into a range of different activities.
POST also provides assistance to other Select Committees in both Houses when their inquiries involve science and technology. POST can provide informal advice, oral briefings, data analyses, background papers or follow-up research at any stage in an inquiry.
All-Party Parliamentary Groups
Several All-Party Parliamentary Groups are concerned with science and technology. POST has recently organised joint events with the APPG on International Development and the Environment and the APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development, amongst others.
The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee organises debates and receptions in Parliament and publishes the quarterly journal Science in Parliament.
European Parliamentary Technology Assessment
POST is a leading member of EPTA, the network of parliamentary science and technology organisations throughout Europe, sharing information and working on joint projects.