§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of(a) chief scientists and (b) chief scientific advisers in his Department had a previous career in nuclear technology.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerPrior to 1983, the chief scientist was recruited from outside the Department. Since 1983, the chief scientist's role has been carried out by the head of my Department's energy technology division: additional advice is supplied by a part-time chief scientific adviser, who also chairs the advisory council on R&D for fuel and power. Of the nine chief scientists appointed since 1948, three had had a previous career in nuclear technology: neither of the two chief scientific advisers appointed since 1983 have had a career in this sector.