* The remit of the ministerial Foresight group has been expanded to ensure science, engineering and technology are taken into account when developing policy across all government departments.
The new group was announced by Peter Mandelson, secretary of state for trade and industry, this week. It is chaired by Lord Sainsbury, and includes George Mudie at the Department for Education and Employment, Lady Hayman at the Department of Health, John Battle in the Department of Trade and Industry, Geoffrey Robinson at the Treasury, and Jeff Rooker at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.