Dr Gareth Wyn Griffith was taking part in a scheme run by the Royal Society to get politicians and academics to find out more about each other's work.

"My name is Gareth Griffith and I am a lecturer in microbiology at the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

Earlier this year I applied to take part in an MP-scientist pairing scheme which is part of the Science and Society Programme sponsored by the Royal Society (the body which represents British science). This scheme involves about 20 scientists from different UK universities and MP representing their local areas.

The aim of the scheme is to provide scientists with an opportunity to learn about the workings of government and for MPs to learn what the job of a university based scientist involves.

My pair is Simon Thomas the Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion. Most MPs (Simon included) are not scientists (only 34 out of 659 have any significant scientific qualification), so I am keen to find out how they assess scientific evidence presented to them, particularly when some of the issues under consideration are complex and the subject of disagreement between scientists.

Day 1 - Monday 1 December 2003

Our first day began with a tour of the Palace of Westminster, which gave the impression of a place of great tradition and little change. However, it was obvious that our tour guide was no fan of House of Lords reform, possibly because he would have to change his patter.

Next was a seminar by Clare Ettinghausen from the Hansard Society (taking its name from the Westminster journal) which aims to promote greater understanding between politicians and the public. In contrast to the earlier historical tour, which painted Westminster as rather inaccessible place, Clare's talk informed us of just how much access the general public has to Westminster and its resources (notably the library and website).

It was also an eye-opener to learn how we can have direct input to the Parliamentary process, not just through our MPs but also by submitting evidence directly to Parliamentary Select Committees. The odd thing is this useful fact is barely publicised.

After collecting our parliamentary passes, we proceeded to test the idea that these passes allow the holders free rein, by having a good wander. However, the long carpeted corridors and frequent policemen made me feel a bit like a trespasser.

The scientific highlight of the day for me was to witness the Select committee for Science and Technology conducting an interview with the senior officials of the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), which funds much of the research conducted by biologists in the UK (including myself).

Select Committees are the main way in which Government policy is scrutinised by backbenchers. In a similar meeting with the MRC (Medical Research Council), the members of the Select Committee were highly critical of MRC policies and this led to a change of Chief Executive and reform of MRC activities.

The Chair of this [Science and Technology] Select Committee is Dr. Ian Gibson, one of only a handful of MP who have previously worked as scientists. In large part through his chairmanship of this Select Committee, Dr. Gibson is held in high regard by many scientists, not least for his willingness to speak his mind and to criticise Government policy.

For about 90 minutes, Professor Julia Goodfellow (Chief Exec of BBSRC) and her colleagues were subjected to an intense grilling about the way they fund research, train younger scientists and publicise the activities of UK scientists. Some of the questions were very tricky but the BBSRC team were well-briefed and able to provide the detailed answers that the MPs seemed to be expecting. It was only afterwards that we learnt that BBSRC staff had spent many months preparing for this session.

One area of consensus between all the participants was the worry about the anti-science culture that is now found in the UK. This stems from the recent debacles on BSE, Foot and Mouth disease and GM plants.

The distrust of scientists by the public is a worry for the scientific community and there is unease that we take the blame for poorly thought out Government policy. Tomorrow, the shadowing begins and I hope to learn more about how scientific information is used to formulate policy."

Written by Dr Gareth Wyn Griffith of the University of Wales Aberystwyth.