§ 29. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Sicence, in view of the lack of public information about the 1124 activities of his Department as distinct from those of the advisory and other councils for which his Department is responsible, if he will publish a report of his Department's activities since its inauguration; and if he will give an assurance that similar reports will be published annually in future.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethIn view of the numerous annual and other reports by the bodies for which he is responsible, including the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, my noble Friend does not consider that a separate annual report covering the activities of his Office would at present be justified, but this and other methods of making its activities known will be kept under consideration.
§ Mr. MitchisonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, judging by his Answers, all he appears to do is to act on advice from somebody or another, and indeed often not to act? No one knows what his Office is doing. Is it not advisable that it should enlighten the public by producing a report showing that it is not merely a post office or the recipient of advice from councils and other Government Departments?
§ Mr. FreethNo, Sir. I think that the general impression in the scientific world and in industry is that our Office is having a steadily increasing effect.