"It was a veryimpressive performance," said Andrew Festing, son of Field Marshal Sir Francis Festing, a commanderin theAllies' Burmacampaign, who attended the ceremony.
"We have a very different makeup from what we did perhaps 50 years or 500 years ago, but fundamentally the talents we are trying to attract for our members are the same, " Mr Festing said.
Dr Simon Festing, of the Association of Medical Research Charities, said patients suffering from appalling diseases like cancer or cystic fibrosis would be thankful that the minister had chosen to boost confidence in British medical research.