Grilling for Sainsbury

Science minister Lord Sainsbury has agreed to subject himself to regular grillings by the influential Commons' science and technology committee.

The committee announced the launch of a "science question time" session in its annual report this week. It will mean that Lord Sainsbury, who previously only had to appear before the committee annually, will be quizzed every few months, beginning in early February.

The committee's annual report also reveals that its attempts to monitor the work of the research councils has been impeded by individual researchers who were reluctant to voice their concerns in public for fear of affecting future grant applications.