Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Abolition Debate
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Lord Birt
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Abolition
Lord Birt Excerpts(1 day, 21 hours ago)
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Lord Birt (CB)
I am sure that the Minister is aware that the closing down of DSIT has caused bemusement in the science and technology community. We have departments that focus rightly on health, education, culture, defence and other areas. At a time when both the challenge and opportunity in this sector are so enormous, why is there no focus on science and technology?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
We absolutely have a focus on science and technology, which is why the Minister for AI has a seat at the Cabinet table. I agree with the noble Lord that the UK stands at a critical juncture, where unprecedented global changes mean that we need to secure our position in relation to these areas, but we cannot see science and technology as an isolated issue that is limited to one department; it is a fundamental priority that cuts across the whole of government and is crucial to the UK’s future economic prosperity.