§ 23. Mr. Willeyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make provision for the publication of the document, "Distribution of Effort over the Department's Programme of Research", prepared by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe document in question is an internal document of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and my noble Friend does not consider that he should interfere with the discretion of the new executive council for Scientific and Industrial Research in the matter of its publication.
The first Annual Report of the new Council is in the course of preparation and will be published as soon as possible after its submission to my noble Friend in the near future.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the hon. Gentleman consider another course? Some of us 952 who are interested in this matter think that it would be beneficial if we could see the document. Will he consider placing it in the Library?
§ Mr. NichollsNo, I do not think that I can promise that at this stage. This Report is prepared by the various Departments of the D.S.I.R. for the Council as a whole to consider its effects, and it is the Council's Report, arising from its consideration of this Report, which will be published for all to see.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the hon. Gentleman convey to our servants in these Departments our appreciation of the efforts of those who are engaged in this work?
§ Mr. WilleyWill the hon. Gentleman at least call the attention of the Council to the desire of hon. Members to have an opportunity of considering the Report?
§ Mr. NichollsI will certainly do that, but in fairness I ought to say that I have looked into that question and it seems to me that it would not be in the best interests of the Report which is to come from the Council that we should see the advice given in that document.