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Research Establishments (Co-Operation)

Volume 390: debated on Wednesday 23 June 1943

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37.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether ,he is aware that an Admiralty research establishment of which he has been informed was set up in immediate contiguity to a research establishment of another Department in order to facilitate co-operation between the two; that the former has been entirely separated from the latter by a high wall furnished with broken bottles and barbed wire so that no communication is possible except by an outside road; and that this and further restrictions of access imposed on persons known to be trustworthy greatly impede collaboration; and whether more efficient arrangements can be made?

The answers to the first two parts of the Question are in the affirmative, with the exception that direct communication between the two establishments without going on to an outside road remains possible. The measures indicated in the Question were necessary in order that a close check might be kept on all visitors to the Admiralty establishment. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the Question, this establishment works in close collaboration with a number of other Government establishments and with firms, and I am satisfied that co-operation is not impeded by these necessary wartime security precautions. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any complaint he has in mind, I shall be glad to make further enquiries, but at present I see no reason for altering the existing arrangements.

Does my right hon. Friend realize that, in spite of this theoretical passage, communication is in fact both difficult and restricted, and could he use his good nature and his well-known capacity for persuading people to be sensible to get over this absurd difficulty by which two establishments that are meant to work together in fact do it very little?

I am advised that the difficulty mentioned by my hon. Friend does not exist. I am prepared to discuss the matter with him, and if there are difficulties in dealing with this collaboration, I can promise him that my right hon. Friend will see that they are removed.

Does my right hen. Friend realise that secrecy is commonly supposed, no doubt erroneously, to be too frequently used for purposes of avoiding criticism, and could he advise the people in this establishment not to have their motives misinterpreted?

With regard to an establishment of this kind, I am convinced that my hon. Friend will agree that being a little over cautious is much better than being too lax.