HC Deb 30 July 1963 vol 682 cc218-9
17. Dr. Bray

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will revise the terms of reference of the Trend Committee to enable it to consider the need for a scientific research unit to be attached to the Ministry of Power.

19. Mr. Swingler

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will revise the terms of reference of the Trend Committee to enable it to consider the need for a scientific research unit to be attached to the Ministry of Transport.

20. Mr. Wills

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will revise the terms of reference of the Trend Commit tee to enable it to consider the need for a scientific research unit to be attached to the Scottish Office.

21. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will revise the terms of reference of the Trend Committee to enable it to consider the need for a scientific research unit to be attached to the Department of Technical Co-operation.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The terms of reference of this Committee, which will report to my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, are wide enough to permit consideration of these issues.

Dr. Bray

I am sure that hon. Members will be very glad to hear that report, but may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is himself happy that the Ministry of Power has sufficient scientific manpower to enable it to communicate effectively with the highly technical industries with which it has to deal? Is he himself presenting any evidence to the Trend Committee on this matter?

Mr. Freeth

The first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question should be asked of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power. As regards the second part, neither my noble Friend nor I are presenting evidence to this Committee since we shall naturally have to take part in making decisions on the recommendations of the Committee.

Mr. Swingler

While being glad to hear that the Committee has wide enough terms of reference to consider these ideas, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he will ensure bringing them to the Committee's attention so that it does consider specifically proposals for attaching scientific research units to each of these Departments?

Mr. Freeth

I can assure the hon. Member that members of the Committee will read today's HANSRD.

Mr. Willis

Will the hon. Gentleman also see that the Committee considers the position of the Scottish Office in view of the fact that the Elgood Committee commended the setting up of a research and development unit in the Scottish Office?

Mr. Freeth

As I said, the Committee, I am certain, is aware of these particular issues; but if it were not, it will have read today's HANSARD by tomorrow.