MRC chief defended

The Government has rejected the Science and Technology Committee's criticisms of the Medical Research Council's chairman, saying this week it has "every confidence in Sir John Chisholm". The committee criticised Sir John for failing to give a clear account of his recruitment and for the informal manner in which he hired Ernst & Young to review the MRC's structure. The Government said the appointment was conducted in accordance with the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, that research councils may appoint consultants without open competition where an applicable framework agreement exists and that "such an agreement was in place with Ernst & Young".