§ 2.43 p.m.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Rhodes Scholars have taken up employment in Britain after completing their studies in this country.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH)My Lords, the Rhodes Scholarship Scheme is not the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government, but of the Rhodes Trustees. I am informed, however, that, since the scholarships were instituted in 1903, about 150 of the 3,500 scholars elected have settled down in this country. I am sure the Trustees, three of whom are Members of your Lordships' House, would provide my noble friend with such further information as may be available.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, does not this number indicate a distinguished contribution to public life, to science and to letters in this country? Does it not also bring into perspective the present controversy that has arisen over the departure of a small number of technicians and scientists from this country, to assist in the development of science in the United States of America and in the Commonwealth as well?
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy Lords, I agree with every word of the noble Lord's supplementary, of which I was not given notice. Perhaps, in reply to his question, your Lordships might permit me to quote one sentence from Sir Carleton Allen, who was secretary to the Rhodes Trustees until 1952, on the first 50 years' life of the Rhodes Scholarships. He said:
Already the influence and status of Rhodes Scholars in [America] are such as to arouse in the fevered imagination of Colonel McCormick, of the Chicago Tribune, dreadful visions of a vast Anglicised conspiracy of 'un-Americanism', in the remarkable form of bringing the United States back within the British 'Empire'.