Geology gets a voice in Parliament
ON 14 June geology took centre stage in the House of Commons at the inaugural meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Earth Sciences. For the first time ever, the newly created body gives geology a voice in national politics at a decision-making level.
Under the chairmanship of Prof. Allan Rogers MP, the only geologist in the House of Commons, with vice-chairs Gillian Shephard MP and Jane Griffiths MP, the Group will have access to a core of scientists from the British Geological Survey, the Geological Society and other groups, and can call upon the nation's key scientists to explain and debate a series of earth science issues.
'The Earth is fundamental to everything we do. We aim to provide a forum for the best earth scientists in the country to share a dialogue with parliamentarians,' commented Prof. Rogers.
With the earth sciences acknowledged as being essential to sustainable development and wealth creation, the Group is expected to debate a wide range of basic earth science issues including quarrying, landfill and restoration.
