HC Deb 28 May 1962 vol 660 cc959-60
21. Mr. Mitchison

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what are the terms of reference of the Committee set up to review the existing organisation for the promotion of civil science by Government agencies; who are the members of the committee; and what advice has been sought from scientists inside and outside the public service.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

I will, with permission, circulate the terms of reference and the names of the members of this Committee in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Committee has full discretion to seek advice from appropriate quarters outside and inside the public service.

Mr. Mitchison

Has it done so?

Mr. Freeth

The Committee will be sitting for quite a while yet.

Following is the statement:

The members of the committee are:

Mr. B. St. J. Trend, Chairman, C.B., C.V.O.—Second Secretary, H.M. Treasury.

Sir Keith Murray—Chairman of the University Grants Committee.

Sir Thomas Padmore, K.C.B.—Second Secretary, H.M. Treasury.

Lord Todd, F.R.S.—Chairman of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy.

Mr. F. F. Turnbull, C.B., C.I.E.—Secretary, Office of the Minister for Science.

Professor C. H. Waddington, C.B.E., F.R.S.—Professor of Animal Genetics, University of Edinburgh.

Dr. E. G. Woodroofe—Director, Unilever, Ltd.

Secretary—Miss K. Whalley, H.M. Treasury.

The terms of reference are: To consider:
  1. (i) whether any changes are desirable in the existing functions of the various agencies, for which the Minister for Science is responsible concerned with the formulation of civil scientific research: and whether any new agencies would be created for these purposes;
  2. (ii) what arrangements should be made for determining, with appropriate scientific advice, the relative importance in the national interest of the claims on the Exchequer for the promotion of civil scientific research in the various fields concerned;
  3. (iii) whether any changes are needed in the existing procedure whereby the agencies concerned are financed and required to account for their expenditure."