HC Deb 06 May 1971 vol 816 cc1619-20
10. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what approximate percentage of time has been taken up by Ministers in her Department on scientific matters in the last six months.

Mrs. Thatcher

Quite a lot, but it is not possible to give a figure. I deal with scientific matters myself.

Mr. Marten

I am sure that my right hon. Friend deals with it extremely well. Is she satisfied that it is still sensible for her Ministry to deal with so many scientific matters, including E.S.R.O., which might be transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry, which is now dealing with space?

Mrs. Thatcher

I am certain that it is right that basic research under the research councils should be kept with the Department responsible for the universities because the two are so closely intertwined. The answer to my hon. Friend's question about space is that I feel that at the moment it should be kept with basic research.

Mr. Alan Williams

I am not clear about the point the right hon. Lady was making at the end of her last answer. Is she aware of the continuing concern among academics and scientists that she is considering hiving off parts of the Science Research Council to individual Departments? Will she take this opportunity to give a categoric assurance that she has no intention of doing that?

Mrs. Thatcher

Sir Frederick Dainton, Chairman of the Council on Scientific Policy, is looking into the best structure for the future of pure and applied research in this country, and I do not expect his report before June.