Innovation not important, claims science minister

INSTEAD of British scientists leading the way with new breakthroughs, it might be better to focus instead on copying other countries' discoveries, new science minister David Willetts has claimed.

Britain - and Scotland - have a proud history of "firsts" in science and engineering.

But Mr Willetts said "being first" was not an argument that was likely to persuade hard-headed Treasury officials.

Speaking in London, he said: "Consider the spur of national pride - the pride, so to speak, of planting our flag on Everest first.

"There are, of course, individuals, whether Olympic medallists or Nobel prize winners, whose achievements can be regarded as a vivid reflection of the health of the country that produced them.

"But none of this is an economic argument for being the first person to make a scientific discovery. Why does it matter economically that we should be first or that something should be discovered by a Brit?

"I think that the answer is we need enough good science to react effectively to scientific breakthroughs wherever they may arise, and to capitalise on those breakthroughs."

"It is this absorptive capacity which is crucial."