HC Deb 19 May 1942 vol 380 cc44-5W
Mr. Mander

asked the Lord President of the Council the present position with regard to the application made to the Privy Council by the Zoological Society with reference to its secretary, Dr. Julian Huxley; and what actions have been taken from time to time by him in connection therewith?

Sir J. Anderson

The Council of the Zoological Society of London applied on 20th April last for a direction under the Chartered and Other Bodies (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1939, the effect of which would be to enable the post of secretary to the Society to be dispensed with for the time being. On 23rd April the Council were informed that, in all the circumstances, the application was one that, in my opinion, should be made by the Society and with the support of a substantial majority of the Fellows. As regards the second part of the Question, a direction in the sense desired was given as the result of an earlier application in similar terms addressed to me on 28th February, 1942. The Council were substantially told that, as the result of further information, I was not satisfied that this application complied with Section 1 of the Act and that if, as appeared to be the case, the application was invalid the direction founded upon it was void.