§ 12 and 13. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Technology (1) what staff is available to the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology for continuous oversight of the supply and employment of qualified scientists and engineers both in general and with particular reference to employment by Government agencies; and (2) what permanent machinery exists for formulating and implementing Government policy for optimum employment and redeployment of scientific manpower within the Ministries and other public bodies.
§ Mr. DellThe Department of Education and Science and the Ministry of Technology provide experienced staff to support the work of the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology. Making the best use of manpower resources in Government agencies is primarily a matter for the Departments concerned and the Treasury.
§ Mr. LubbockWill the staff provided by the Department of Education and Science be occupied full time on the work of the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology? How are the requirements of the Defence Departments, which use a considerable number of qualified scientists and engineers, co-ordinated in the whole programme?
§ Mr. DellIt is the objective of the Government to ensure that scientific personnel previously used on defence are used, so far as possible, on civil work in future, and this matter remains under continuous review. Eleven senior staff are directly concerned with the work of the Committee.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyDoes the hon. Gentleman recall that, three years ago, the Prime Minister made a speech at Scarborough about the brain drain? What are the Government doing to prevent these highly qualified people from going to the United States and elsewhere? The brain drain is worse than ever before.
§ Mr. DellThe Government are giving the greatest possible encouragement to advanced technology but it is necessary that all aspects of advanced technology be judged from the point of view of economic viability.