§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out by the Aeronautical Research Council and sub-committees; what it is estimated to cost in the forthcoming year; when its work will cease; and whether any other body will take over any of its functions.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Aeronautical Research Council has provided a source of independent advice to the Department of Industry and the Ministry of Defence on scientific problems, research progress and Government-sponsored research programmes in the aeronautical field—civil and military—reporting jointly to Ministers in both Departments. Following the Government's review of non-departmental bodies the council is to be wound up. Its last meeting is expected to take place next month and the cost of its activities in the next financial year is expected to66W be nominal and confined to residual secretarial work. Discussions are in progress to determine how best the Defence Scientific Advisory Council can modify its present consultative functions to cover some of the more important defence and related aspects of the aeronautics field formerly dealt with by the ARC.