Durham welcomes Commons Select Committee

Durham University will welcome a House of Commons Select Committee to the region, reflecting its growing relationship with UK Parliament. As part of the Committee's brief to scrutinise the Government's Industrial Strategy, they will visit two of Durham's world-class research groups based at the North East Technologies Park (NETPark) on Thursday 8 December. The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation creates high-tech instruments for major telescopes around the world and has helped Durham to achieve a world-wide impact for space science research. The Committee, led by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, will also see the work of the Advanced Inorganic Materials Group which 'grows' large diameter crystals to develop high energy, colour X-ray imaging technology. Innovation and partnerships Professor Antony Long, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: "As a University, we play a lead role in supporting the development of innovative industries through our partnerships with businesses and through our commercial spin out activities. "We hope that we can help the Select Committee build a full picture of the role of the region and the university sector in the Government's Industrial Strategy. "It is important for us to ensure the region is represented in policy debates and development across the board and that policies are based on solid evidence, which is where our researchers play a crucial part." Leader of Durham County Council, Councillor Simon Henig, said: "This visit shows that Durham is a beacon for business and in particular high-tech research.