Sts.--In the 'Spectator's Notebook' of May 20 there was, I
suggest, an unwarranted attack on the Franks Commission for advocating an expansion in the applied sciences at Oxford. I believe that under- lying this attack was the old idea that applied science courses are unsuitable for Oxford because they lack sufficient scientific content. Until it is widely recognised that applied sciences are worthy of study at all universities, including Oxford, this country will be unable to produce the, necessary high-quality engineers and technologists.
At the moment, applied science is very much the poor relation of pure science. There is a national shortage of suitably qualified entrants to nearly all technologically based university departments. Far too many of the weaker science sixth-formers are advised by teachers to look upon applied science as their only hope of a degree. It is essential that engineering and allied subjects attract a proper share of the most talented of our science sixth- formers.
There must be a determined effort to raise the prestige of applied sciences in, this country. To this end the long overdue expansion at Oxford is to be welcomed rather than criticised.
G. LL. RICHARDS
Department of Metallurgy.
University College of South Wales, Card&
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