HC Deb 27 April 1965 vol 711 cc198-9
10. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to ensure proper promotion prospects for members of the staff of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research who successfully complete sandwich courses, in view of the fact that there is a wastage of approximately one in 10.

Mr. Marsh

The academic achievements of sandwich course students are taken fully into account in an annual promotion review of staff in the scientific classes and in competitions held by the Civil Service Commissioners.

Mrs. Short

Is my hon. Friend aware that when these officers return, having gained their qualifications, they return to the grades which they held before? In view of the cost to the D.S.I.R. of permitting these officers to take their courses, does he not think that they should return at higher professional or scientific grades?

Mr. Marsh

I appreciate the argument behind my hon. Friend's supplementary question. This is a real problem. One is faced with the position that many members of the staff have obtained these qualifications other than by sandwich courses, and it seems unfair that preferential treatment should be given to those who have taken their qualifications by means of sandwich courses, paid for by the taxpayer, over and above those who have taken the same courses, probably in their own time.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Can the Minister of State say whether the D.S.I.R. is still in existence?

Mr. Marsh

I am not a Minister of State. The question about the D.S.I.R. does not arise out of this problem. The question is whether people who have taken these courses of study by one means should be given preference over others who have taken them by other means.