§ 15. Mr. Mawbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, for what purpose the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research makes awards for the maintenance of post-graduate students.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe D.S.I.R. makes post-graduate awards to help meet the country's needs for an adequate supply of persons with post-graduate training in science and technology, except in the 180 medical and agricultural sciences which are dealt with by other bodies.
§ Mr. MawbyDoes the grant carry with it any condition that the trained man should bring some benefit to the country?
§ Mr. NichollsNo, the grant does not have any specific conditions of that sort, but by and large grants are restricted to British subjects who are normally resident in the United Kingdom.
§ 16. Mr. Mawbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research obtains advice upon the allocation of its Research Studentships.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has set up a Post-graduate Training Grants Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Eric Ashby. This Committee is composed of three members appointed after consultation with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of Universities in the United Kingdom; another member qualified especially to speak for the technical colleges; and professors of high standing in the nine main broad fields of science and technology in the Department's purview. The chairman of the University Grants Committee and a representative of the Ministry of Education sit as Assessors.
§ Mr. MawbyWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to give us some idea what are the nine broad fields of science and technology?
§ Mr. NichollsI can answer that question, because it is a question which I myself asked. The answer is: biology and biochemistry; chemical engineering and metallurgy; chemistry; electrical engineering; engineering; geology; mathematics; physics and the social sciences.
§ Mr. E. FletcherIn view of the known concern of the Lord President of the Council for the encouragement of "eggheads," may we have an assurance from the Minister that adequate attention is being given to developing these Research Studentships to the fullest possible extent? May we have an assurance that everything possible is being done in the way of scientific research?
§ Mr. NichollsYes. I can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend's interest in "eggheads" applies to this.