HC Deb 28 June 1966 vol 730 cc1587-8
Q5. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Prime Minister what machinery exists for determining the total resources of manpower and money for research and development.

The Prime Minister

The normal interdepartmental machinery, Sir.

Mr. Lubbock

Can the Prime Minister say why, in the National Plan, no attempt was made to collect together figures concerning the requirements for manpower and resources in respect of science and technology between now and 1970? Can he also say whether the Committee on Manpower Resources in Science and Technology is empowered to look at the whole field, including manpower employed in defence?

The Prime Minister

Yes. It is the duty of the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology, and although a great deal of work on this subject was done in relation to the National Plan there was no special entry or special section dealing with this question. But the House will be aware that Sir Solly Zuckerman—having now come into the Cabinet Office full-time—is looking intensively at all questions arising out of the co-ordination of scientific and technological matters—and manpower will be one of those.

Mr. Maxwell

Is the Prime Minister aware that the United Kingdom is the only country in the world in which there exists a dichotomy in manpower planning as between defence and civil purposes? Can he tell the House whether this dichotomy will be ended, since it is harmful to the national economy?

The Prime Minister

I have told the House that it is our policy to redeploy far more of the scientific resources of the country to civil purposes rather than to defence, and the transfer of a great part of the Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Technology will further that process. My hon. Friend will also be aware that compared with only two years ago our expenditure on civil research and development has increased under the Estimates from £194 million to £259 million on the Civil Votes.