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John Major has taken the power to shape British science out of the hands
of a historian, and given it instead to a solicitor. William Waldegrave
ended his two-year stint as science minister in last week’s Cabinet reshuffle
amid plaudits even from the pressure group Save British Science for his
enthusiasm and commitment. His successor is David Hunt, whose views on science
are still largely unknown.

Hunt has had some brushes with science, as junior energy minister in
the mid-1980s and as Welsh Secretary between 1990 and 1993, when he was
responsible for forming policy on industry, transport, health and education.
John Andrews, head of the Welsh Funding Councils, which share out public
money for higher and further education, says Hunt was ‘very concerned’ with
education and training, particularly their role in developing the economy.

Besides picking up Waldegrave’s other ministerial responsibilities outside
science – such as the Citizen’s Charter – Hunt will also be Major’s ‘chief
of staff’. For this reason, his new number two, Robert Hughes, will play
a bigger day-to-day role in dealing with science than his predecessor.

At his first public appearance since his move, Hughes said: ‘Less than
18 hours ago I was still in the whip’s office, where the techniques are
less scientific and more medieval.’ Hughes was a film maker at the British
Aircraft Corporation and the BBC before entering Parliament. His scientific
qualifications include a biology O level and an understanding of the chemistry
of photography. He said he would not pretend to be a scientist or to second-guess
scientists, but he would operate an ‘open door policy’.

He also delivered a message from Hunt saying that he was aware of ‘how
vital science is to wealth creation’. Hunt stresses that science still has
‘a voice at the heart of government’.

This statement may help to head off concern that Hunt’s role as chief
of staff would leave him little time to champion science in the Cabinet.
Bill Stewart, the government’s chief scientist, also denies that this will
be the case. ‘David Hunt will continue to have key interactions with Number
Ten and will be able to raise science and technology issues at the highest
level,’ he says.

Hunt will chair several Cabinet committees, including one on industry
and commerce. John Mulvey of Save British Science says that Hunt should
use this position to persuade industry to change its attitude towards research
and development.