HC Deb 05 February 1951 vol 483 cc1339-40
46. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Lord President of the Council to what extent the rearmament programme is likely to make new demands on our resources of scientific manpower; and to what extent, and by what means, these can be met.

Mr. H. Morrison

The main emphasis of the rearmament programme is on a rapid increase of our strength by greatly increased production of equipment based on research and development already done. The execution of the production programme is not likely to call for the recruitment into Government service of a large additional number of scientists. It will, however, create a substantial new demand for engineers and technicians. The effort being put into certain very urgent development projects will have to be increased, and there will be a considerable new requirement for scientific staff in the defence research establishments and in industry for this purpose.

Ways and means of finding this additional manpower are being studied. I hope that no insuperable difficulties will arise in meeting them but, as elsewhere, the claims of the defence programme must be given priority over additions to civil establishments, which can be postponed, and some special steps to this end may have to be taken. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service is taking steps to ensure that the machinery for filling vacancies works effectively.

Mr. MacPherson

In obtaining additional staff will the Lord President try to ensure that the needs of the universities, technical colleges and secondary schools are maintained, so that the flow of scientifically trained personnel will be maintained?

Mr. Morrison

I cannot be sure that it will be fully maintained, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I will certainly keep that point in mind.