Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to give a definite reply as to the continuance of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board; and whether any steps are being taken to draw the attention of the steel-making industry to the Report of the Board on this subject?
§ Mr. MILLSasked the Ministry of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Treasury to withdraw financial support from the Industrial Fatigue Research Board, and suggesting that any important work on hand might be transferred to industrial or voluntary organisations; whether he is aware of the valuable work done by the Board since its inception in 1918; that there are no organisations in existence capable of taking over the Board's work; that if the Treasury decision is carried out the last year's work of the Board will be wasted; that it will result in a set-back in the whole movement of the study of human efficiency, and will involve the discharge of about 20 investigators who have specialised in the work; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances, the Treasury decision will be reconsidered?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe expenditure on the Industrial Fatigue Research Board is 1823W naturally being reviewed with all other public expenditure in the light of the imperative need for economy. The Board itself will in any case be continued, and I think I can safely promise that sufficient funds will be provided to secure its efficiency. The Government are very fully alive to the considerations mentioned by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills).