Key Facts

• Amendment 19 seeks to mandate an annual statement on ARIA's tolerance to failure.
• The statement aims to ensure public understanding and proper scrutiny of ARIA's operations.
• The amendment requires reporting on the number and value of projects terminated due to failure.
• Bob Sorrell noted a UK culture where failure is hidden compared to the US.
• Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser highlighted serendipity in research, suggesting value can arise from failures.
• The Minister urges withdrawal of the amendment requiring annual reporting on ARIA's tolerance for failure.
• ARIA will operate at the cutting edge of science and technology.
• Clause 3 enables ARIA to give weight to ambitious research goals that carry a high risk of failure.
• The Secretary of State has committed £800 million to fund ARIA up to financial year 2024-25.
• Framework documents will be drafted by the Department and agreed with ARIA’s senior leadership team ahead of its operational launch in 2022.
• Amendment 20 would require annual reporting to the ISC on any national security directions made by the Secretary of State.
• Clause 5 allows the Secretary of State to give ARIA directions necessary for national security.
• The Labour party argues that current provisions lack adequate parliamentary scrutiny.
• The amendment would require a Secretary of State's report to the ISC detailing ARIA directions in the interests of national security.
• Richard Dearlove’s view that transparency is key but some information should remain secret for national interest.
• The Minister claims robust national security arrangements are already in place with UKRI.
• Labour is committed to ensuring proper national security oversight.
• Clause 5 of the Bill allows the Secretary of State to give directions to ARIA regarding its functions in the interest of national security.
• The amendment proposes that ARIA must provide relevant Select Committees with information upon request.
• The Secretary of State can request information needed for funding decisions, national security directions, or board appointments.
• Clause 6 limits the Secretary of State's rights compared to other arm’s length bodies like UKRI.
• ARIA must provide annual reports and statements of accounts to Parliament as part of transparency measures.
• Derek Twigg is moving amendment 37.
• The amendment requires immediate dissolution of ARIA if it uses resources for weapon development.
• Kirsty Blackman supports the amendments to prevent ARIA from funding weapons.
• Amendment 37 and 38 challenge dual-use research.
• Clause 5 enables the Secretary of State to give directions to ARIA regarding national security risks.
• Clause 8 allows for ARIA’s dissolution ten years after the Act is passed, subject to consultation and parliamentary approval.
• Transparency International found one in five of 1,000 pandemic-related procurement contracts had red flags associated with corruption.
• The Minister proposes to exempt ARIA from Public Contracts Regulations to allow faster procurement processes similar to those used by private sector organisations.
• ARIA will be required to appoint an independent internal auditor to report on its procurement activities as part of a future framework agreement.
• The amendment would omit extension of obligations on contracting authorities for ARIA.
• ARIA is expected to commission and contract others for R&D outside traditional grant-making rules.
• DARPA benefits from 'other transaction authority' offering flexibility in procurement.
• Public procurement rules could prevent critical investments at speed or all together.