§ 43. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of his recent report, it is his policy to continue support for the proposed 300 GeV accelerator and to secure the location of this undertaking in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerThe paper on the proposed 300 GeV accelerator, Cmnd. 3503, set out the views of the scientists who had considered this matter, at various stages. As I said in my foreword, the Government must give very searching consideration to this proposal, particularly after devaluation. A decision will be announced in due course.
§ Sir G. SinclairWill the Minister bear in mind the effect that the abandonment of such a project would have on the brain drain, and the attitude of top scientists in this country towards advanced research?
Mr. WalkerI will bear that in mind, and other considerations which were also put forward by the scientists. One has to keep a balance between the claims of different kinds of research on our general resources, human and material.
§ Mr. HoggWill the right hon. Gentleman realise that if and in so far as this country is genuine in its desire for European technological co-operation this is one of the projects by which it may be judged?
§ Mr. MaclennanIs my right hon. Friend able to say any more about the proposal that the GeV accelerator might be located in this country?
Mr. WalkerThere was a previous Question, which was not called, about this. We have put forward, and are naturally pressing the claims of a particular site, Mundford, which is the only possible site that meets the needs laid down by the CERN Board. It is a very complex and technical problem.