§ 47. Mr. Stokesasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a letter addressed to him by the presidents of the Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Institutes of Engineers and offering the services of their members has remained unanswered in all but form; and what steps he proposes to take to harness the scientific brains of this country for the purpose of winning the war?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)Offers of assistance have been received not only from the institutes referred to in the hon. Member's Question but from the representatives of science generally. His Majesty's Government welcome the contribution which science is making to the war effort. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would remind the hon. Member that on the advice of my right hon. Friend the late Lord President of the Council, who had been in consultation with the Royal Society, I have already approved the setting-up of a Scientific Advisory Council under the chairmanship of my noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the constitution and terms of reference of which have been announced in the public Press.
§ Mr. StokesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the constitution of the Scientific Advisory Council was announced after I put the Question down? Will he say whether the presidents of these institutions were taken into consultation in any way?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure there were numerous consultations, but I could not say exactly which scientific leaders were consulted. I believe that the Advisory Council commands the support and acceptance of the scientific world.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the new Council consists almost entirely of pure scientists and that there is no representation of applied scientists?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have many skilled representatives of the application of scientific inventions to war purposes in the Service and other Departments. I do not propose at the present time to alter the constitution of the Advisory Council.