Research Unit and Advisory Panel

HC Deb 29 November 1965 vol 721 cc130-1W

63. Lord Balniel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the work being undertaken by the research unit and advisory panel assisting the Minister of State responsible for disarmament.

Mr. Padley

The Arms Control and Disarmament Research Unit was set up to conduct research into the problems of arms control and disarmament and to make available the results of this research to those concerned with the day to day conduct of British policy in this respect. To this end it has conducted studies, has maintained contacts with official and unofficial bodies working on disarmament, both here and abroad, and co-operated with members of the Disarmament Advisory Panel. The purpose of the Advisory Panel is, by drawing on a wide range of political, technical and scientific expertise, to give my noble Friend the Minister of State, with special responsibility for disarmament, the benefit of their advice.