AbstractIn 1989 the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology conducted an enquiry into definitions of R&D because of serious doubts about UK R&D statistics and the use to which they are put. Defence statistics in particular were investigated by the Committee and the National Audit Office andfound to be somewhat deficient. From the reports produced, it seems reasonable to conclude that committees of the legislature can tackle complex and detailed matters and make a constructive contribution to their analysis, but that R&D statistics must be used with great care.