HC Deb 02 July 1947 vol 439 cc165-6W
99. Mr. K. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Labour who is responsible for relating the output of science graduates and research scientists with the demands of Government Departments, industry, industrial research and teaching; whether the Technical Personnel Committee is still in existence; on what basis one-third of science graduates are allocated to industry; whether his Department realises the grave shortage of science masters in secondary schools; and what immediate action is contemplated to remedy this situation

Mr. Isaacs

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to science graduates who leave the Universities before discharging their obligations under the National Service Acts. It is the responsibility of my Department, acting on the advice of the Technical Personnel Committee, to allocate these young men according to the needs of the Armed Forces and essential civilian employment, including research and teaching at Universities and similar institutions. These young men are not permitted to take school-teaching posts instead of being called up, and in this I have the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, to whom the last part of the Question should be addressed