Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that research and innovation activities carried out under Horizon 2020 comply with ethical principles and legislation.

As an EU Member State, the UK was involved in negotiating the EU Regulations governing Horizon 2020, and in the preparation by the European Commission of its model grant agreement for Horizon 2020 beneficiaries. These require research and innovation activities carried out under Horizon 2020 to comply with ethical principles.

Under the conditions of the grant, UK institutions, organisations or individuals that receive Horizon 2020 funding must adhere to ethical principles and applicable international, EU and national law. Responsibility for ensuring beneficiaries comply with the grant agreement rests with the European Commission or its agencies.