HC Deb 07 November 1940 vol 365 cc1453-4W
Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour how many scientists are registered under the Ministry of Labour and how many are being utilised, respectively, in the following classes: chemists, physicists, engineers, mathematicians, biologists, biochemists, physiologists, pathologists and psychologists; how many scientists actively engaged upon research have been registered and utilised; and how many members of the Royal Society are wholly or in any way activel engaged in war work?

Mr. E. Bevin

There are 28,423 scientists of the categories mentioned on the Central Register practically all of whom are occupied. The function of the Central Register is to transfer to new work the best qualified candidates who can be spared from their present work and it would be entirely misleading to suppose that because a scientist has not been moved by the Central Register after his registration, his services are not being utilised to the best advantage. Statistics are not kept in the precise form aked for, and I would invite my hon. Friend to call at the office of the Central Register where he will be given all available information on the questions he raises.