Short but tweet: the origins of the debate

skyponderer - Anyone else worried that science and defence are now inextricably politically linked? With lorddrayson doing both jobs!?

LordDrayson - @skyponderer What are you worried about?

skyponderer - @LordDrayson I am disappointed that science is undervalued enough not to need a full-time minister ...

LordDrayson - @skyponderer It's not undervalued. It's not about the time thing. It's about the what you get done thing

PD_Smith - Joseph Rotblat for one must be turning in his grave that sci & defence are now merged

LordDrayson - @skyponderer What would you like done to address your concerns?

LordDrayson - @PD_Smith Science deserves a minister at the Cabinet table. That's key. Tick. Sci deserves a Cabinet committee. That's key too. Tick.

PD_Smith - @LordDrayson And what about combining sci & defence procurement? Does it send out the right message in an age of nuclear proliferation?

LordDrayson - @PD_Smith Re: ethical issues. You have a point. I have to be absolutely clear on the separation between the 2 roles. Civil service r key.