HC Deb 25 October 1944 vol 404 cc148-9
17. Mr. Salt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the functions of the British Council's Scientific Mission in Chungking; to what extent there is liaison between it arid the British Embassy in China; and whether it is the responsibility of this mission or the Embassy to obtain for the Chinese authorities all the information they require about scientific developments in this country, whether in relation to service, industrial, agricultural or medical matters.

Mr. Law

On the advice of His Majesty's Government, the British Council have established in Chungking an office to promote scientific and technical contacts with China. Its title is "The British Council Cultural and Scientific Office." It is directed by Dr. Joseph Needham, F.R.S., and it is under the general supervision of His Majesty's Ambassador. The Ambassador is responsible for ensuring that all inquiries made by the Chinese authorities are passed to the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom. The Service attachés deal with purely military inquiries, and Dr. Needham with all the others.

18. Mr. Salt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what foreign capitals British scientific missions or attachés are now maintained, and whether he can give particulars.

Mr. Law

No scientific attachés have yet been appointed to His Majesty's mis- sions in foreign countries, but in Washington a British scientific mission exists for the purpose of exchanging scientific information with the United States Government. In Chungking arrangements exist of which details are given in my answer to my hon. Friend's last Question. The possibility of making similar arrangements elsewhere is under consideration. The Service attachés attached to His Majesty's missions in the various capitals, deal with scientific matters within their respective spheres.

Sir Oliver Simmonds

Can the Minister say whether these scientific missions are really composed of scientific men or merely of civil servants posing as scientists?

Mr. Law

I may be wrong, but I should not have thought that Dr. Joseph Needham was a civil servant posing as a scientist.