HC Deb 03 May 1948 vol 450 c899
45. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Prime Minister the names of the two committees on which Professor Haldane is working and will he give a resume of their terms of reference; and if he will place these terms in the Library and send a copy to the hon. Member for Orpington.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

The two bodies, with their terms of reference, are as follow: (1) Protection Sub-Committee of the Committee on the Medical and Biological Applications of Nuclear Physics and of the Medical Research Council. To advise and assist in promoting research into methods of protection against harmful effects arising from medical, scientific or industrial—but not the warlike applications—of atomic energy. (2) Underwater Physiology Sub-Committee of the Royal Naval Personnel Research Committee of the Medical Research Council. To advise and assist in promoting research into physiological factors concerned in the health and safety of personnel engaged in submarine and diving operations. No fuller statement of the terms of reference has been formulated; the second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Sir W. Smithers

In view of the essential nature of these committees will the Prime Minister extend the purge of the Civil Service to members of Government advisory committees and the B.B.C.?

An Hon. Member

And to the Tory back bench.