9 June 2000 STEPHEN BYERS ANNOUNCES NEW GROUP TO BOOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH WEST A new group set up by Trade and Industry Secretary , Stephen Byers will examine ways of boosting economic development in the North West by capitalising on the region's scientific and industrial strengths. The North West Science and Daresbury Development Group will also make proposals on the role that the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire can play in this process. The Group will report to Mr Byers by 29 December 2000. Mr Byers said: "This Group further demonstrates the Government's commitment to help the North West capitalise on its strengths. The Group will make recommendations to me for the economic regeneration of the region by building on its unmatched industrial and scientific tradition. It will also make proposals for the role that the Daresbury Laboratory can play in this process." A representative of the regional partners, Sir Martin Harris, Chairman of the North West Universities Association said: "Today's announcement is good news for the North West. An important part of the group's work will be identifying opportunities for the Daresbury Laboratory. The work of this Group will be critical in ensuring that the science base in the North West remains strong, and that it continues to contribute in a major way to economic regeneration. We particularly welcome the broad range of local partners who will be represented on the Group." Membership of the North West Science and Daresbury Development Group will include a wide range of local partners, including representatives from business, academia and local government, as well as Government Office for the North West and the DTI. The North West Science Review Team, led by Dr Bruce Smith, today issued its #25 million call for proposals for science projects in the North West, and the new Group will take into account the proposals and recommendations made by the review team. This announcement follows the decision in March this year to locate the new synchrotron X-ray source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. Notes to Editors 1. Terms of Reference The North West Science and Daresbury Development Group will: In the light of the decision to locate the DIAMOND facility at RAL, make recommendations: * for developing science linked projects in the North West to boost economic regeneration; and * make proposals on the role that the Daresbury Laboratory could play in this process in the medium and long term, building on the strengths of its workforce. In making these recommendations, the Group will be guided by the North West Development Agency's Regional Strategy. The Group will make an assessment the strengths of the North West science base and its links with the regional economy and will identify mechanisms to address any matters arising. It will assess the costs and benefits of any proposals, taking into account of existing sources of public and private sector funding and ways of levering in additional private funding; and will also draw on the conclusions of the North West Science Review Team chaired by Dr Bruce Smith. The Group will report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by the end of December 2000 and issue an interim report at a time of its choosing. 2. Membership The Group will report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and be chaired by the Regional Director, GO-NW. Its membership will comprise: Peter Styche, Regional Director, GO-NW (Chairman) Martin Earwicker, Office of Science and Technology Mike Shields, CEO, North West Development agency Lord Smith of Leigh, Chairman, North West Regional Assembly Sir Martin Harris, Chairman, North West Universities Association Bob Cernik, Daresbury Management Tony McDermott, Leader, Halton Council A representative from the business sector (to be notified) Alan Manning, Regional Secretary, TUC Local MPs - Derek Twigg, Helen Southworth, Dave Watts, Joan Humble 3. The North West Science Review Team This team, headed by Dr Bruce Smith, was set up on 13 March by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury, following his announcement that a new synchrotron would be built at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. It forms one of a number of steps intended to ensure that the science base in the North West remained strong. Backed by a minimum of #25m from the science budget to fund the implementation of its recommendations, the Team's remit is to review the options for capitalising on the strength of the science base in the North West. It will report to the Science Minister by 30 September 2000. At the same time, Lord Sainsbury also announced a feasibility study to look at the potential for a biotechnology core technology facility worth up to #25m for the North West to provide small companies and academics with access to essential facilities to support emerging fields such as bio infomatics and tissue engineering. The call for proposals from the North West Science Review Team can be found on the Government Office North West web-site, http://www.go-nw.gov.uk.