§ Captain Pluggeasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for talent in the reconstruction period after the war, he will instruct the different Departments to record and encourage any inventive or scientific ability capable of development in the national interest?
§ The Prime MinisterThe civil departments concerned with research maintain in peace-time a close contact with universities, other institutions and private firms engaged in research. The research departments of the Service Departments, which have been much expanded for war purposes, are in close touch with outside bodies engaged on work bearing on their problems and have a close and satisfactory liaison with the civil research departments. Careful records are kept of any new ideas which cannot be applied to an immediate war problem, but may be applicable to post-war needs. The records include details of the originators. In addition there is in the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour and National Service a very comprehensive record of men and women with scientific, technical and professional qualifications. All this material will be available when the problems of post-war reconstruction are considered. I do not think any new instructions are required.