§ 57. Mr. COWANasked the Prime Minister whether any existing fund is available out of which men of science may be compensated for losses incurred by them in doing unremunerative scientific work when such work has proved to be of advantage to His Majesty's Government and subjects; and whether, if no such fund is available, he will consider the advisability of providing funds for meeting such cases in the future?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware of any fund other than the Civil List. The conditions for the granting of Civil List pensions are laid down by Sections 5 and 6 of the Act I. and II. Vict. c. 2. I am not satisfied that further provision is necessary. I may add that 1916 nine pensions were awarded last year for scientific purposes—two to scientists themselves, seven to their widows or daughters.
§ Mr. COWANMay I ask whether it is not the case that Civil List pensions are in the nature of charity and not a reward for services?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I never regarded them as in the nature of charity. They are a reward for services rendered by deceased persons who have left their families in necessitous circumstances.
§ Mr. J. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman state on what basis the Government give Grants for these scientific purposes; and will he explain, for example, why £10,000 is given to the Sir Edward Shackleton expedition before he makes any investigation, and will not give anything to Dr. Bruce?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat does not arise out of the question. I personally investigate every one of these cases.
§ Mr. PRETYMANMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman had a case before him of this kind in connection with the Exhibition at San Francisco, where requests have been made to scientists in this country to go and read Papers and take part in that exhibition, the expenses of which would be very heavy; and is there any possibility of a Grant being devoted to that purpose?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would like notice of that. I was not aware of it.