HC Deb 19 November 1963 vol 684 cc782-3
10. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury what action it is proposed to take in the light of the Trend Committee's recommendation that the exchange of personnel between the Ministry of Science, the headquarters of the research agencies, and the stations operated by the agencies, should be facilitated.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As my noble Friend said in his Foreword to the Trend Committee Report, the Government areconsulting the bodies affected by the recommendations before taking decisions.

Mr. Dalyell

When is it likely that a decision will be reached on Trend?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The Trend Report contains a number of recommendations. I should not like to put a particular date on each of them or the sum total.

Mr. Crossman

In view of the Minister's assurance that the relevant bodies are being consulted, may I ask if he can give a further assurance that this process wil not be hurried, since we have already heard from some of the civil servants concerned that they are being asked to give their views on certain subjects within a matter of days when they had got the impression from the introduction to the Report that there would at least be weeks in which to consider their views?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There will certainly be no undue haste. On the other hand, we want to get on with this important matter with reasonable dispatch.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this Committee has been sitting for about two years and that to be asked to give an answer in 12 days is somewhat exacting for people whose future may very well be concerned?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not know where my hon. Friend gets the 12 days from. As I said a few moments ago, there is no likelihood of any decision being arrived at in that sort of period. I can assure the House that we want—this is the reason why we are delaying a decision—all concerned to have proper opportunity to put forward their views. However, I hope that they will do so expeditiously.

Mr. Crossman

In view of the Minister's assurance, which of course, I accept, will he bear in mind that I have here a letter complaining that civil servants have been told that they must get their comments inbefore 21st November? This seems to be a short time, in view of the general impression created in the introduction that everybody would be consulted. May we now be given the further assurance that this was, perhaps, overdoing it and that they really willhave more time than that?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I cannot possibly give an assurance in respect of a letter which I have not seen. I do not know from whom it comes, to whom it is addressed, or the circumstances. If the hon. Gentleman will send it to me, I shall be happy to investigate it. I can give no answer off the cuff now.