§ Mr. Walter Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has been taken on the recommendation of the Heyworth Report that a Social Science Research Council should be established.
§ Mr. CroslandOn 2nd June I announced the Government's acceptance in principle of this recommendation.
The draft of an Order in Council is being prepared, specifying the objects of the new body and declaring it to be a Research Council for the purposes of the Science and Technology Act. 1965; the draft will be laid before Parliament, in accordance with Section 1(4) of the Act, after the new Council has been established by Royal Charter. I expect to be in a position to lay the draft in the autumn.
Meanwhile, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Young has accepted my invitation to become Chairman of the new Research Council. I am considering with my colleagues the composition of the Council, and will announce the names of other members as soon as possible.