§ 102 and 103. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works as representing the Lord President of the Council, (1) on what date proposals were made for the expansion of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; what were the answers made to the proposals: which have been carried out; and why have the others not been acted upon;
(2) if he will make a full statement on the future of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; and what steps are to be taken to bring about a great expansion of its work.
§ Mr. MolsonProposals for the expansion of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research were contained in the D.S.I.R. Report for 1947–48 (Cmd. 7761) 143W and included the development of existing research stations, the creation of new facilities for research in hydraulics, mechanical engineering and radio, the development of industrial research associations and additional grants for fundamental research and for the training of research workers in universities. Subsequent annual reports, including the report for 1950–51 (Cmd. 8494), have described the progress made towards this expansion.
Substantial progress has been made, but where delays have occurred these are due to the difficulty of recruiting sufficient numbers of suitably qualified scientists and delays in the construction of new buildings.
The Government fully supports the Department's proposals and intends to implement them as quickly as circumstances allow. Despite the recent cuts in Government expenditure, the vote for D.S.I.R. has not been reduced.