§ 15. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works as representing the Lord President of the Council, how far the proposals announced in 1946 for the recruitment of additional persons to the Directorate of Scientific and Industrial Research have exceeded or fallen short of that objective.
§ Mr. BevinsThe 1946 plans for the eventual expansion of the staff of the Department contemplated an increase in non-industrial staff to about 4,000. The total on 1st July, 1954, was 3,108. It is intended to increase this staff to 3,900 by 1959.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonWould the hon. Gentleman tell us what active steps he is taking to get personnel now so that the Department can get on with this important work?
§ Mr. BevinsThe non-industrial staff of the D.S.I.R. is increasing all the time. The number of non-industrial staff employed in 1949 was 2,500; today it is 3,100.
§ Mr. HoyWill the hon. Gentleman say whether there is likely to be any slowing down in the provision of the laboratories as a result of Treasury interference?
§ Mr. BevinsNone, Sir.