HC Deb 29 September 1942 vol 383 cc677-9
The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)

A number of Questions have been tabled during the Recess on the subject of the three Scientific Advisers recently appointed to my staff. I hope it will be for the convenience of the House if I make a brief statement on the powers and duties which, in agreement with my colleagues, they have been given.

First, I should like to make it clear that I have not created a new Scientific Board. There appears to be some misconception about this. The three Scientific Advisers have been appointed as whole-time members of my staff and will work under the supervision of the Lord Privy Seal acting on my behalf. Their field of activity will be co-extensive with that over which I exercise my powers; they will work together or individually according to the nature of problems under investigation. Their advice and recommendations will normally be presented to me through the Lord Privy Seal; it will, of course be for me to bring their advice and recommendations to the notice of the War Cabinet as may be necessary.

These appointments have been made with a view to completing the existing organisation for scientific research and development in the field of production, and will provide the further measure of co- ordination which the creation of a Ministry of Production has now rendered possible under my direction. The Scientific Advisers will advise me on existing organisations for scientific research activities in any case in which it appears to them that the existing arrangements are deficient or inadequate. They may act for me with the technical side of any service or other department engaged in scientific work which bears on the general field for which I am responsible. I shall call upon them, from time to time, to make reports upon particular matters, but in addition, they may initiate inquiries into any matters within their field. They will, of course, be provided with adequate technical and other staff.

The Scientific Advisers may obtain through the head of the department or establishment concerned or, in the case of certain highly secret information as may be approved between myself and the Minister concerned, any information relevant to the execution of their duties. The Scientific Advisers will, of course, not interfere with the work which is being done by the very large and numerous scientific and technical staffs of departments or, with that of any existing inter-departmental organisation. They fully appreciate the importance of this. With these arrangements I feel that they will have full scope for their work which will be of great importance, and enable them to make a note-worthy contribution to the development of scientific and technical research in the field of production.

Mr. Shinwell

How will this new arrangement affect the functions of the Lord President of the Council, who is ordinarily responsible for matters of scientific research?

Mr. Lyttelton

The functions of the Lord President of the Council are not affected by the arrangement.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that there will be two Ministers dealing with scientific matters? Is there to be no co-ordination there?

Mr. Lyttelton

The Lord President's functions remain the same. The Lord Privy Seal is helping me in the matter, but I am responsible in the field of production for the work of these three scientists.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not this an appropriate moment for co-ordination? Should we not have someone to take complete charge of scientific research matters?

Mr. Woodburn

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that this Department will have power to make use of the very considerable research possibilities which exist in the actual production firms themselves, and not have a separation between theory and practice?

Mr. Ivor Thomas

What will be the relation of this panel of advisers with the Scientific Advisory Committee presided over by the President of the Board of Education, and also with Lord Cherwell's organisation?

Mr. Lyttelton

He has no organisation. The Scientific Advisory Committee and the Engineering Advisory Committee advise the Government on general points, whereas the three scientists who have been appointed are whole-time members of my staff.

Mr. Shinwell

May I press the matter of co-ordination? The Lord President of the Council is responsible for the Scientific Research Advisory Committee, and one deals with the subject of the treatment of coal. Does not production refer to coal? That matter comes within his function. Would it not be much better, instead of dividing the functions between two or three Ministers, to have one in liaison with the various Departments dealing with the matter?

Mr. Lyttelton

I think it would be thoroughly unsound to have one Minister attempting to co-ordinate these activities. The closest liaison exists between them, and the ultimate co-ordination must be done by the War Cabinet.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Is not the need for a Central Scientific and Technical Board such as is demanded by at least 120 Members of the House?

Mr. Woodburn

May I have an answer to my Question, whether this Committee would have authority to make use of the scientific research possibilities of production firms throughout the country?

Mr. Lyttelton

Certainly, I have the fullest powers in the matter already.