§ 9. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Minister of Labour, in view of the importance of setting in motion at the earliest possible date schemes of industrial research and development, involving large numbers of trained scientists, what plans have been made for the earliest possible release of such persons from war service and for the training of younger men to supplement them.
§ Mr. BevinApplications for the release from the Forces of trained scientists can be made through the appropriate Government Departments under the Government's plans for the re-allocation of man-power after the defeat of Germany, which contain provision for the early release of a strictly limited number of individual specialists. I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, about the re-allocation within industry of trained scientists who are at present engaged upon war work. The conditions on which students may be permitted, after the cessation of hostilities with Germany, to begin or continue their scientific training are under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. HarveyWill my right hon. Friend take the earliest opportunity of making that statement?
§ Mr. BevinI should be very sorry to make any promise, because, as I have said in reply to a previous Question, in dealing with matters of this kind a proper balance has to be kept between one class and another.