THE Prince of Wales is to be asked to explain his "anti-science" views on
genetic engineering to a committee of MPs. MPs of the all-party science and
technology committee issued the invitation after the Prince's Reith lecture this
week on the theme of working "with the grain of nature" rather than
manipulating it.
St James's Palace played down the prospect that he would agree saying it
was unprecedented for a member of the Royal Family to give evidence. But
MPs pointed out that the Prince had held a private meeting last year with the
Commons environment, transport and regional affairs committee to give his
views on planning.
Nigel Beard (Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford), until recently a member of the
science and technology committee, said: "Prince Charles has come out with
some very controversial views on GM crops. It was the same with his
statements on modern architecture which had a dampening effect on new
architects. Now he is stepping into the middle of this with a green mysticism
and his opinions have to be questioned. I don't believe that we should have
the Prince, or any other eminent person, causing anxiety among the public
about a major subject from which we expect to gain prosperity."
Dr Ian Gibson (Lab. Norwich North) told Radio 4's World at One: "Prince
Charles has been taking an interest in public affairs which is indeed welcome,
particularly in GM crops. He has quite rightly put his oar in to discuss these
things. I think it would be a good idea if he gave evidence to us."
~*~
Charles's tour of Scotland starts on
'sacred' ground(electronic Telegraph)
By Robert Hardman
THE Prince of Wales will renew his call for a greater balance between
science and "the sacred" when he begins one of the most remarkable royal
tours of Scotland.
Today he becomes the first heir to the throne to act as Lord High
Commissioner at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland which is
holding its annual gathering in Edinburgh.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, he is expected to champion the
spiritual and natural principles which "integrate" mankind with the world while
condemning a modern "disintegrated attitude" which seeks to "manipulate and
distort" nature for man's own convenience.
Yesterday it was announced that the Prince would be invited to address a
House of Commons select committee on genetically modified crops following
his latest warnings on the subject. But at the end of a week in which the
scientific establishment has attacked his opinions, the Prince will stress that he
is not opposed to science.
He is expected to express his "greatest respect for the workings of the rational
mind" and for the "essential" role which experimentation plays in our lives. He
will praise technology for providing "many of the central benefits of our
existence". But such developments, he will stress, should not lead to a
devaluation of traditional beliefs. Much of his speech, though, will focus on his
deep personal attachment to Scotland and the part it has played in shaping his
views and character.
What should be a surprisingly personal and passionate eulogy to the country
will serve as the prelude to an eight-day intensive tour of every aspect of
Scottish life, the longest the Prince has undertaken. The words "Prince of
Wales" will not be heard, though. While in Scotland, he uses his senior
Scottish title, Duke of Rothesay.
The tour began yesterday at Whithorn, south west Scotland, where he had a
private meeting with the families of the seven fishermen who died in January
when their boat, the Solway Harvester, went down. The Prince met 30
relatives away from the cameras inside the village's Steam Packet Inn and
spoke to all of them. "It was a consummate display of caring," said publican
John Scoular. ""It was very nice to meet them," the Prince said.
He also visited Whithorn Priory, regarded as the "cradle of Scottish
Christianity", ahead of his arrival in Edinburgh where a guard of honour by the
Black Watch welcomed him to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. For the first
time, the entire St James's Palace machine has been shipped to
Holyroodhouse which has been transformed for the occasion. Rather than
acting as a royal stopover, the old palace will be a humming centre of
community activity.
The central courtyard has been covered with a huge tent for civic occasions at
night and much of the form book has been rewritten. Last night's Ceremony of
the Keys was the first in history to involve breakdancing.
This ceremony began in the traditional manner with the presentation of the
city's keys to the royal visitor by the Lord Provost. The Prince replied,
according to custom, that the keys "cannot be placed in any better hands than
those of the Lord Provost" and handed them back.
That would usually have been the cue for a formal dinner. Last night,
however, it prompted a youth pageant featuring everything from tap dancers
to a Punjabi drumming display by the "Dhol Clan of Edinburgh".
The visit reflects the Royal Family's wish to devote more time to the regions
and, in particular, to the devolved parts of Britain. His presence in Edinburgh
as Lord High Commissioner comes at the personal request of the Queen.
However, it does mean a slight drop in royal status. Protocol dictates that the
Lord High Commissioner, who is the Queen's representative at the assembly,
is always addressed as "Your Grace". There are no exceptions - even for
those with an HRH in front of their name.