Boys of a certain age (including this reporter) have fond memories of 1950s chemistry O levels with endless explosions and fires in their school science labs.

It is no surprise then that Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller had a grin as wide as that of the Cheshire Cat when he had the chance to experiment with scientists in Parliament.

Mr Miller met TV scientist Dr Hal Sosabowski, the first scientist ever to be allowed to carry out explosive chemistry experiments in the House of Commons, at an event held by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The MP, chairman of the Commons science and technology committee, met with representatives from the learned society to talk about the importance of scientific research to the UK economy and to Ellesmere Port and Neston.

But to his obvious delight he also got to take part in some loud and colourful chemistry experiments performed by Dr Sosabowski.

Back in 2011, Dr Sosabowski, from the University of Brighton, launched UNESCO’s International Year of Chemistry at the Houses of Parliament with a show of chemistry demonstrations.

The MP witnessed the whizzes and bangs of chemistry first-hand as Dr Sosabowski showed off the science behind glow sticks, a liquid nitrogen shower and a flaming methane mamba of soap bubbles.

Behind the colourful chemicals and exciting explosions the event was an opportunity to discuss the need for a long-term strategy for UK science funding to drive economic growth and create jobs.

“It certainly wasn’t a normal day in Parliament seeing bright and explosive chemistry experiments,” said Mr Miller.

“It was a fantastic way to find out more about the contribution that science makes to the UK economy which I am well aware of from my work as chair of the Science and Technology select committee.”

Pointing out that Britain is a world leader in science he added: “The chemical sector alone sustains 500,000 jobs across the country but over the last decades public investment in scientific research has fallen behind our international competitors.

“There needs to be commitment from all sides of the debate to increase total government investment in research in the long-term to set Britain back on the path to science-fuelled growth.”