HC Deb 14 February 1940 vol 357 cc782-3W
Captain Plugge

asked the Minister of Supply in connection with the visit of the French scientific delegation, what arrangements have been made for regular liaison between French scientific representatives and the Advisory Council on Scientific Research and Technical Development already set up under his auspices?

Mr. Burgin

Regular liaison between the advisory council referred to and French scientific representatives is effected through the Mission Scientifique Franco-Brittanique which has a permanent secretary resident in London, who will shortly be located in the Ministry of Supply. The mission has contact with the whole of the French war-time scientific organisation. There is, in addition, a direct link between the Ministry of Supply and the French Ministère de l'Armement, which can be used by the advisory council for matters relating to scientific inventions, in the form of a Ministry of Supply officer who has been appointed liaison officer in the French Ministère and will shortly take up his duties in Paris.

Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Supply how many meetings have been held to date of the Advisory Council on Scientific Research and Technical Development, set up under the auspices of his Ministry; what sub-committees of the council have been established; and with what membership?

Mr. Burgin

One meeting of the advisory council has been held; further meetings have been arranged at two monthly intervals. Ten committees of the council have been established, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose either the titles or the membership of these committees.