Following appeals from MPs and the scientific community, including the Royal Astronomical Society, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee will be re-established this autumn.

RAS President Professor Andy Fabian welcomed the move. "Science and technology, including astronomy and geophysics, are a key part of our society and will play a crucial role in future economic growth. With the re-establishment of the Committee, MPs will once again be able to give the scrutiny of science the attention it deserves."