§ Mr. Linsteadasked the Minister of Production to what extent his newly appointed Scientific and Technical Board will be available to assist other Departmental organisations of scientific research and technical development; and whether they will have power to co-ordinate or to recommend the co-ordination of these organisations?
§ Mr. LytteltonI would draw the hon. Member's attention to the statement which I made to the House on Tuesday, regarding the powers and duties of the three scientific advisers recently appointed to my staff.
§ Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Minister of Production whether the members of his new Scientific Advisory Board will be given sufficient staff to enable them to delegate all detail work; and whether for this purpose a selection of the younger scientists and technicians will be made available to them in addition to clerical staff?
§ Mr. LytteltonI would draw the Noble Lord's attention to the statement which I made in the House on Tuesday in which I explained that I have appointed no new scientific board and that the three scientific advisers recently appointed to my staff will be provided with an adequate technical staff.
§ Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Minister of Production whether he will ensure that the Scientific Advisory Board have power to recommend the release in appropriate cases of scientists seconded from the universities to Government Departments and their transfer to other war work?
§ Mr. LytteltonI would direct the attention of the Noble Lord to the statement which I made in the House on Tuesday when I stated that the scientific advisers might advise me on existing organisations for scientific research and technical development. It is not in general desirable that the scientific advisers should interfere in detailed staffing arrangements of individual Departments, whose autonomy in these matters must not be interfered with. However, it is open to the scientific advisers, in cases which appear to them to be of major importance, to make recommendations798W to the heads of Departments concerned for the possible release of scientists required for other pressing work.