Parliamentary Science Committee

Abstract

AT the annual meeting of the Parliamentary Science Committee held at the House of Commons under the presidency of Sir Arnold Wilson on December 5, the following officers were elected: President, The Right Hon. the Earl of Dudley; Chairman, Sir Arnold Wilson, M.P.; Vice-Chairman, Prof. B. W. Holman; Deputy-Chairman, Mr. Alan E. L. Chorlton, M.P.; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. H. W. J. Stone. The honorary secretary's annual report discloses that representative scientific and technical institutions continue to affiliate to the Committee. During the 1934-35 session, questions were asked in Parliament concerning agricultural and horticultural research, interchangeability of water supplies, the International Locust Conference, milk pasteurisation, aeronautical engines (output), the gas grid scheme, the possibility of constructing earthquake-proof buildings in India, the research powers of the agricultural marketing boards, technical education and grants for industrial and agricultural research. Members of the Committee took an active part in the debates on the Herring Industry Bill and the Metropolitan Water Board General Powers Bill. Looking to the future, the Committee contemplates consideration in the near future among other things of such widely diverse subjects as the endowment of research, the finance of industrial research, income tax exemption on industrial research, patent legislation reform and the remission of death duties on bequests for research. The Committee compiles from Hansard and other sources a monthly summary of all scientific and technical matters considered in Parliament. The third volume of “Science in Parliament” has just been completed, and issued with a cross-reference index. Owing to the coming demolition of the Adelphi, the Committee is moving to Granville House, Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.2, on January 1.