HC Deb 05 March 1963 vol 673 cc203-5
Q6. Mr. Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the recent Report of the Royal Society, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will take steps to stem the increase in the rate at which outstanding scientists with research degrees are emigrating from this country.

Q11. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister what study he has made of the Report of the Royal Society, a copy of which has been sent to him, concerned with the emigration of scientists to areas of the world which can offer better facilities; and what action he is taking to slow down this rate of emigration.

The Prime Minister

The Government are considering this Report. The estimates which it contains are of gross emigration of scientists holding post-graduate qualifications. No estimate could be made of immigration of high-quality scientists to this country, but this has for many years been of great benefit to British science.

We are rapidly increasing our expenditure on civil scientific research, and intend to continue to do so.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the Prime Minister realise that the emigration, on an increasing scale, of the cream of our highly educated scientists not only has very serious economic consequences but also indicates a glaring lack of confidence in the Prime Minister's ability to guide the future of this country?

The Prime Minister

There are two points to make on that supplementary question. First, the emigration is not on an increasing scale; the proportion has fallen since 1947. Secondly, about half the emigration is to the Commonwealth. This is one of the great benefits that we are able to give the Commonwealth.

Mr. Dalyell

Does not the Prime Minister agree that immigration into this country took place at a time in the 1930s when we were able to provide better facilities than any other country in Europe? Will not he inject a special urgency into the provision of good facilities?

The Prime Minister

I agree that in the pre-war years there were special pressures which brought scientists here from various countries, for other reasons. But it is remarkable that of all the Fellows of the Royal Society 10 per cent. are persons who were born and educated outside the United Kingdom.

Mr. Dudley Williams

Does not my right hon. Friend think—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that this shows how wise the Government were in the last Budget to raise the Surtax level from £2,000 to £5,000 a year?

The Prime Minister

I think that that was a very wise decision, and I hope that it will have some good effect upon energy and effort in all directions.

Dr. Bray

In view of the fact that the production of scientists in the United States is about 200 times greater than the number of scientists emigrating from this country to the United States, does not the Prime Minister think that the analysis made by the Minister for Science in another place the other day was somewhat ridiculous? Does he think that to slander the American educational system in this way really improves technical cooperation between men?

The Prime Minister

Although my noble Friend sometimes says things which are controversial, he never says anything which is ridiculous.