§ Colonel Ropnerasked the Lord President of the Council whether he has yet arrived at any estimate of the number of persons with scientific and technological qualifications who will be required in connection with the research and development of British industry and for other purposes during the next ten years; whether he is satisfied with the present output of such qualified persons from the universities; and whether he will take steps at an early stage to arrange to ensure science students shall have their call up to the Forces deferred until they have taken their degrees.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI have been asked to reply. Our resources of qualified scientists and engineers are being reviewed in the light of the prospective demand, and until this review has been completed, I cannot answer the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question. As regards the latter part, the possibility of continuing the wartime deferment of science students from call up will be borne in mind in formulating our long-term manpower policy.