West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly MP, Derek Thomas, has been elected to the Houses of Parliament's Science and Technology Select Committee. The committee, to which MPs are elected by their peers at the start of the new parliament, exists to ensure that Government policy and decision-making is based on good scientific and engineering advice and evidence. As a member of this committee Derek Thomas can examine the activities of departments where they have implications for, or made use of, science, engineering, technology and research. Derek Thomas said 'This select committee is of particular interest to me because of the potential for new well paid jobs that exists in West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly within the science and technology fields.' The new MP is concentrating his efforts on four areas that people have identified as priorities for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.These are skills, jobs, housing and health. Mr Thomas continued 'Science and technology offers this part of the world some incredible opportunities when it comes to addressing at least three of my four priorities. It is my belief that the greatest area of growth in skills and jobs for us here will be in the use of technology, in particular the creative industries and the space sector. Furthermore, technology is used increasingly in health care and can reduce the need for people to travel long distances for appointments.' The MP has also joined the All Party Parliamentary Group for Space. This follows his visit to Goonhilly Earth Station near Helston which has re-established itself as one of the most strategically important sites in the world-wide space sector.