MPS CLAIM science is in danger of disappearing into a "black hole" after being downgraded in Gordon Brown’s latest reshuffle.

A Commons committee – which investigated the Daresbury research campus crisis – raised the alarm over the government’s commitment.

It follows the creation of a "super-ministry" headed by Lord Mandelson.

His empire now stretches from business and skills, universities and further education, to defence sales – and science.

The new science minister is Lord Drayson who sits in the House of Lords away from the scrutiny of MPs and has a brief that also takes in defence procurement.

It means the minister – who once quit the government to pursue his dream of taking part in the 24-hour Le Mans race – must juggle his time with the huge demands imposed by the Ministry of Defence.

The apparent downgrading comes despite ministers insisting boosting Britain’s science base should be a key route out of recession.

Crucial to that plan is the work done at Daresbury, near Warrington, the region’s leading science research centre, where cuts have already triggered fears of closure.

Now the innovation, universities, science and skills select committee has warned its ability to scrutinise government science policy will also suffer because of what’s been dubbed "The empire of Mandelsonia".

Parliamentary rules mean it will now be wound up and replaced by a "business, innovation and skills committee", to mirror the department it shadows – with no mention of science.