§ Q28. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister what progress he has now made towards his policy objective of encouraging industry and the Government service to give scientists opportunities in the wider administration of business, rather than confine them to specialist activities.
§ The Prime MinisterAs to the Civil Service, I would refer the hon. Member to the Fourth Report by the Joint Committee of the National Whitley Council entitled "The Shape of the Post-Fulton Civil Service". Since that report was398W published, Departments have been invited to nominate promising young scientists for extended training and experience in management and administration. It has also been agreed that a competition should be run later this year for the transfer of scientists to the administration group at principal level.
As to industry, the CBI with Government support is encouraging employers to give more responsibility to scientists and to involve them more directly in policy decisions.