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| Lord Drayson takes science brief | Lord Drayson takes science brief |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The UK has a new science minister - the third in two years. | The UK has a new science minister - the third in two years. |
| Lord Drayson takes up the post in the recently created Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. | Lord Drayson takes up the post in the recently created Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. |
| It is a quick return to government for the multi-millionaire businessman who quit a position in defence in 2007 to pursue his interests in motor racing. | It is a quick return to government for the multi-millionaire businessman who quit a position in defence in 2007 to pursue his interests in motor racing. |
| The scientific community, however, will welcome the appointment of "one of their own" - Lord Drayson holds a PhD in robotics. | The scientific community, however, will welcome the appointment of "one of their own" - Lord Drayson holds a PhD in robotics. |
| The government, on the other hand, has a man who knows how to exploit innovation for the benefit of UK PLC. | The government, on the other hand, has a man who knows how to exploit innovation for the benefit of UK PLC. |
| Lord Drayson helped set up the Oxford-based Powderject company, which developed a revolutionary needle-free injection system. | |
| The firm was acquired by the Chiron Corporation for more than £500m in 2003. | The firm was acquired by the Chiron Corporation for more than £500m in 2003. |
| "We welcome this appointment and look forward to working with Lord Drayson, whose proven interest in technology can only benefit the UK engineering community," said Dr Scott Steedman, vice president of the Royal Academy of Engineering. | "We welcome this appointment and look forward to working with Lord Drayson, whose proven interest in technology can only benefit the UK engineering community," said Dr Scott Steedman, vice president of the Royal Academy of Engineering. |
| And Professor Colin Blakemore, former head of the Medical Research Council, added: "There's no doubt he's been very creative in recognising opportunities to move from basic research into innovation in his own career, so he chimes very much with the government's current focus on translational research. | And Professor Colin Blakemore, former head of the Medical Research Council, added: "There's no doubt he's been very creative in recognising opportunities to move from basic research into innovation in his own career, so he chimes very much with the government's current focus on translational research. |
| "However, I do think he can be trusted to defend the investment needed for the basic research which is essential for innovation in the future." | "However, I do think he can be trusted to defend the investment needed for the basic research which is essential for innovation in the future." |
| Lord Drayson succeeds Ian Pearson, who held the science brief for 14 months; and Malcolm Wicks who himself was only in position for eight months. | Lord Drayson succeeds Ian Pearson, who held the science brief for 14 months; and Malcolm Wicks who himself was only in position for eight months. |
| Before them was Lord Sainsbury who was science minister for a remarkable eight years. Sainsbury, like Drayson, has been a big donor to the Labour Party. | Before them was Lord Sainsbury who was science minister for a remarkable eight years. Sainsbury, like Drayson, has been a big donor to the Labour Party. |
| The motor racing peer takes over at a time of high commitment to science spend in the UK. | The motor racing peer takes over at a time of high commitment to science spend in the UK. |
| Britain puts roughly £5bn a year into research; a figure that Gordon Brown has promised to increase to £6.3bn by 2010 as part of his 10-year science and innovation investment framework. | Britain puts roughly £5bn a year into research; a figure that Gordon Brown has promised to increase to £6.3bn by 2010 as part of his 10-year science and innovation investment framework. |
| The Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis, who is also chairman of the Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, said Lord Drayson could make an excellent advocate for science. | The Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis, who is also chairman of the Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills, said Lord Drayson could make an excellent advocate for science. |
| "We desperately need a champion like him in the run-up to the next spending review," he commented. | "We desperately need a champion like him in the run-up to the next spending review," he commented. |
| "At both the graduate and post-doctoral level there is a very serious shortage of scientists and engineers. Given that 70% of the 20:20 workforce have already left school, we need to convert people already in work to science and engineering skills. | "At both the graduate and post-doctoral level there is a very serious shortage of scientists and engineers. Given that 70% of the 20:20 workforce have already left school, we need to convert people already in work to science and engineering skills. |
| "I hope Paul Drayson will grasp the seriousness of this and make it his priority." | "I hope Paul Drayson will grasp the seriousness of this and make it his priority." |