§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of suitably qualified applicants for Science Research Council studentships for work towards a higher degree in each of the years 1962 to 1966, and the number of studentships awarded.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsScience Research Council awards are provided for research training or an approved course of postgraduate instruction. They are not primarily for the purpose of obtaining a higher degree, although such a degree or diploma is usually awarded.
The numbers are:
Year Qualified Applicants Awards made 1962–63 … … 1,623* 1,610 1963–64 … … 1,968* 1,932 1964–65 … … 2,567 2,507 1965–66 … … 2,928 2,785 1966–67 … … 3,096 2,775 *These figures include a number of qualified applicants who withdrew their applications before an award was made.
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider lowering the qualification 206W for a Science Research Council award in order to enable applicants, considered suitable by a university or college but having only a lower second-class honours degree, to receive an award.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsNo. There are two levels of qualification for Science Research Council awards. For a Research Studentship a candidate must normally have a first class honours or upper second class honours degree. For an Advanced Course Studentship a candidate with a lower second class honours degree is eligible. In both these categories the Council is prepared to consider alternative qualifications, or a combination of qualifications and experience provided that they demonstrate equivalent ability.
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the shortage of scientists, he will make available enough Science Research Council postgraduate awards to ensure that no suitably qualified applicant lacks the opportunity to engage in research towards a higher degree.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsNo. In 1966 the number of research and advanced 207W course studentships awarded by the Science Research Council (S.R.C.) was about 18 per cent. of the number graduating in that year and this provided support for about half the total number of postgraduate students in science and technology.
I am advised that the proportion of scientists who now receive postgraduate training is about right. Further studies are in progress on the postgraduate training best suited to current national requirements. In recent years the S.R.C. has been especially encouraging research and advanced training in technology which has the greatest need for highly trained manpower. Recent policy of the Council has been to encourage more new graduates to go into industry in order to gain some experience before returning to University for postgraduate studies.
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of Science Research Council post-doctoral fellowships awarded in each of the years 1962–66; and if he will increase the number of fellowships available, and the value of the award, in view of the growing numbers of British scientists taking up similar fellowships in other countries, especially the United States of America.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe numbers of Science Research Council (S.R.C.) post-doctoral Research Fellowships awarded in each of the years 1962–66 are as follows:—
Academic Year SRC Fellowships tenable in UK NATO* and SRC Fellowships tenable abroad SRC Fellowships awarded to British scientists in N. America to enable them to return to the Uk Total 1962–63 48 28 16 92 1963–64 44 18 20 82 1964–65 52 27 32 111 1965–66 83 25 41 149 1966–67 54 26 41 121 * NATO Fellowships are awarded by the S.R.C. on behalf of NATO, as a result of the UK's participation in the NATO Science Fellowships Programme. In 1966 all candidates who applied and were considered to be qualified 208W received a Fellowship. A proposal by the Science Research Council to increase the value of Fellowship awards is being considered in relation to relevant aspects of incomes policy.