HC Deb 12 July 1926 vol 198 cc11-3
22. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what action has been taken by research organisations in Great Britain and other countries of the Empire to exchange scientific and technical information, as recommended by the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Arrangements have been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for communicating regularly published and other information as to the work done under its auspices to Dominion Government research organisations and to the principal unofficial research centres. Similar communications are sent to the Governments of India and the Colonies. In return valuable information is being received by the Department from the oversea parts of the Empire. As regards agricultural research somewhat similar arrangements for the exchange of information between organisations in this country and overseas are in force; and it is proposed that a Conference on the subject of inter-Imperial co-operation in agricultural research should be held in the autumn of 1927. Invitations to this Conference were issued last year to the Governments of the Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is there any interchange of information with the Dutch and French Colonies?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

No direct interchange, but I may say that practically all our research officers get reports from places like Guiana and Java, and we follow the work of the French in this matter in the proper institutions of research in this country.

Mr. HADEN GUEST

Are the research institutions of the British Empire in touch with the great International Research Institute in Italy?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Yes, the great. International Institute at Rome, which deals with wheat and other primary products, is kept in close consultation. We consult with it, but that does not deal with the whole position.

Mr. GUEST

Would it be possible to have a Government publication setting out the present condition of these different research institutions?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I have been going into that matter recently. There is a suggestion that by co-operation with the Imperial institute we might have more regular publication of the names of the research officers in different parts of the Empire and the main subjects with which they are dealing. It is by no means yet decided.