HC Deb 28 June 1944 vol 401 cc726-7W
Captain Plugge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what scientific advice and scientific staff and advisers are available to U.N.R.R.A., particularly with regard to health, nutrition, agriculture and other relevant matters; and whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made in this respect.

Mr. George Hall

The various divisions of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration which deal with health, nutrition, agriculture and other relevant matters have been placed under directors and deputy-directors appointed for their scientific or technical qualifications and experience. The recruitment arid organisation of the staff both in Lon- don and Washington are still in progress. I regret it has not been possible in the time to obtain full particulars of all the persons appointed, but I quote a few instances which may be regarded as illustrative of the qualifications and experience of the scientific staff generally:

Health Division, Washington:

Director: Dr. W. A. Sawyer, formerly Director of the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Health Division, London:

Director: Dr. A. Topping, formerly Deputy Medical Officer of Health to the L.C.C.

Deputy Director: Dr. Neville Goodman, formerly Deputy Senior Medical Officer, Ministry of Health.

Agriculture Division, London:

Director: H. Calkins, formerly Regional Conservator of Soil in the Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Deputy Director: S. Krolikowski, formerly Chief of the Agricultural Section of the Polish Ministry of Commerce.

In addition to its own staff U.N.R.R.A. can avail itself of the scientific advice of the Standing Technical Committees and Sub-Committees of the U.N.R.R.A. Cornell. These Committees are composed of experts appointed by the member Governments. I am satisfied that the members appointed to serve on these technical sub-committees on behalf of His Majesty's Government are highly qualified both by their scientific attainments and by practical experience, and I know that U.N.R.R.A. has spared no effort to secure the best talent available for its own staff.