HC Deb 28 May 1957 vol 571 cc192-3
10. Mr. Mawby

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in translating Russian scientific periodicals and providing a lending library service on them; and whether it will be prepared to translate scientific papers on request.

Mr. H. Nicholls

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has ordered all the Russian scientific and technological books and periodicals which are available through commercial channels and, where possible, English translations of them, and is trying to obtain additional material on exchange. When sufficient material has been received a lending service will be started. The Department is continuing its small Co-operative Translations Scheme, under which the cost of a translation of a scientific paper is shared by those interested, and is considering the provision of a more comprehensive translation service.

Mr. Mawby

Could my hon. Friend give any idea as to when it is expected that the lending service will be started, and could he say whether there will be any political difficulties about obtaining these publications?

Mr. Nicholls

The service is well on the way now, and I do not think that we anticipate any difficulty in getting the exchange moving, because Russia is eager to have our publications and in order to get them there must be a real, live exchange.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether any objection has been raised by the Foreign Secretary on the ground that these books and documents have been written by Communists or fellow-travellers?

Mr. Nicholls

This matter has not yet come within the purview of the Foreign Office in that particular respect.