Competition for Scientists
The report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, in advocating a considerable increase in the supply of scientists from the universities, raises a number of important questions without making any very notable contribution towards their solution. The Barlow Committee in 1946 made the same suggestion, but it emphasised the need of increasing the number of arts students concurrently, lest the character of universities, particularly the older universities, should be substantially changed. These concurrent increases have, in fact, taken place, but the universities, Oxford and Cambridge in particular, are full to bursting-point, and it is extremely hard to see how they can be expanded. Expansion on the science side is most difficult of all, for it means more laboratory accommodation at a time when obstacles to build- ing, including cost, are formidable. There is a further difficulty. The Council emphasises the shortage of science teachers in schools. This is of the first importance, since without them it is idle to hope for a flow either of scientists for industry or of science teachers in the future. The reason for the shortage is clear; it is the attraction of posts in industry at much higher salaries than any school can pay. The diversion of more scientists to industry,, as the committee recommends, will accentuate the problems of the schools. The Council suggests no solution for the problem, which is not surprising, for none is visible. The question is important enough for a committee of Ministers to be set to work on it.
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