Impact is difficult to assess due to the
logistical and administrative obstacles encountered when attempting to survey
or interview Parliamentarians, together with the fact that POST is one of many organisations
delivering commentary on scientific issues. Nevertheless, some POST qualitative
and quantitative data on POST’s impact is available and indicates that POST is
a valued organisation. POST is currently developing more systematic ways of
gathering and analyzing such data.
Around 220 MPs, 170 Peers, 10 MEPs,
44 MP researchers and 160 other parliamentary staff have »opted in« to
receive copies of all POSTnotes. Those who are not on this mailing list still
routinely pick up POSTnotes from the parliamentary libraries. Anecdotal reports
indicate that Members are often seen holding and using POSTnotes in the
debating chamber.
POSTnotes are particularly valued for their
impartiality. In a survey conducted in 2009 one MP commented »There is so much
depending on scientific judgements and scientific information and often it
appears in the media as a particular slant, the key thing is that POST is
independent and I have to say that I read their publications and I think they
are excellent, just the right length and they are impartial and they are clear
and I think it is excellent to have that«. The same survey indicated that over
80 % of parliamentarians (out of a sample of 50) had used POSTnotes more
than once in the past year.
In many cases POSTnotes are used to inform the
work of Parliamentary Select Committees – for example POSTnote 368 on Rare
Earth Metals was used to inform an inquiry into Critical Mineral Resources by
the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. POSTnotes are
also often incorporated into »debate packs« which are information packs
provided to Members prior to a debate.
Chapter Impact - all countries
© EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA |