BRITISH SCIENTISTS AND GRAVITATIONAL WAVES

That this House acknowledges the discovery of gravitational waves as a triumph for humanity which confirms Albert Einstein's 100 year old theory of general relativity, and is expected to provide vital insights into the evolution of stars, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, neutron stars and black holes; commends the decades of scientific research and the development of the techniques to extract the properties of the sources from the gravitational wave signatures carried out at the University of Birmingham, together with colleagues at Cardiff University and the University of Glasgow; recognises that this research was a significant contribution leading to the scientific breakthrough; further recognises the subsequent birth of a brand new field of astronomy that will teach us about our universe for generations to come; and calls on the Government to ensure that sufficient funding is available for scientific research incorporating applied, discovery and translational research to enhance our culture and civilisation and serve the public good.