HC Deb 15 June 1965 vol 714 c227
12. Sir H. Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Technology what administrative arrangements he is making for implementing the findings of the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology which will report to him jointly with the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

Mr. Marsh

We expect to hear shortly from the Committee suggesting a programme for its future work. Until this is available my right hon. Friend is not in a position to say whether any special administrative arrangements will be required for his Ministry.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Would the hon. Gentleman be prepared to say, in the light of his right hon. Friend's statement yesterday about the machine tool industry, whether, in the implementation of the "little Neddy's" recommendations, his right hon. Friend is now going to ask this committee to make a special report with a view to implementing the expressed need for increasing scientific and technological manpower for the machine tool industry by 600 by the end of 1968?

Mr. Marsh

I think, with respect, the hon. and gallant Gentleman misunderstands the purpose of the committee. It is essentially an advisory and co-ordinating body and not a committee of inquiry or an executive body. It will not be in a position to tender any substantive advice until it has examined the results of the 1965 triennial survey of scientific and technological manpower, which will not be available until later this year.