Men Of Science Are
p. 92 · Read in the full issue
Indispensable
In The World Of To-Day
THE decision to establish an Ad visory Council on Scientific Policy for Britain follows two other events which together indicate the realisation by the U.K. Government of the indispensable part men of science have to play in the world to-day.
First came the publication of the so-called “Barlow Report on Scien tific Manpower”, in April last year, then the formation of a Defence Re search Policy Committee. The Bar low Report was submitted by a Com mittee, of which Sir Alan Barlow was chairman, charged with considering the policies which should govern the use and development of Britain’s scientific manpower and resources during the next 10 years. It re commended that an immediate aim should be to double the present out put from the universities to give ap proximately 5,000 new scientists every year at the earliest possible moment.
In allocating the limited supply of trained scientists during the recon struction period, the order of prefer ence recommended is:— I.—Teaching and fundamental research; 2.—Civil Science (both for Gov ernment and industry); and 3.—Defence science.
It was stressed, however, that a nucleus of able scientists and ad equate development establishments should be retained in the defence service even during the period of re construction, since the technique of armaments is at present in a period of revolution.
The new Advisory Council of Scientific Policy will not only con sist of the heads of the three great Government scientific institutions— Sir Edward Appleton, secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research which is respon sible for all Government-sponsored applied science; Sir Edward Mellan by, secretary of the Medical Research Council; they will be joined also by six prominent men of science who are not in the Government service.
In defence research, the Policy Committee consists of one half scien tists and the other half from the Fighting Services. It reports to the Minister of Defence and its proceed ings, unlike those of the Advisory Council, are secret. In order to en sure that these two bodies work in close association the same man has been appointed chairman of both. He is Sir Henry Tizard, one of the most distinguished of Britain’s men of science. In 1944, he was awarded the Albert Gold Medal by the Royal Society—its highest scientific honour.