RESEARCH PLANT IN BATTERSEA

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26263, 7 November 1950, Page 7

RESEARCH PLANT IN BATTERSEA

WAR OFFICE SECURITY POLICE TAKE OVER (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 5. Fifty scientists, some working on a new form of graphite of great importance to atomic energy and rocket research, have been told that their laboratory has been closed and that they will not be required until further notice, says the “Daily Express." Last night. War Office security police took charge of the scientists' twostprey laboratory at Battersea, London.

Over the week-end the scientists received registered letters from the owners of the laboratory—Powell Diffryn Research Laboratories—saying that the building was temporarily closed for reorganisation and adding: “All employees will be denied access unless special written permission Is givsn by the secretary." About 100 other members of the staff have also .been excluded. The Powell Duffryn firm has discovered a method of making graphite which can be moulded into any shape. Graphite is an essential part of the furnaces for making plutonium, the atomic bomb explosive. It is also used tor the automatic fins which direct V2 rockets during flight.