“Lot Of Money Wasted In Duplication Of Research”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 10

“Lot Of Money Wasted In Duplication Of Research”

(NX. Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 6. A tremendous amount of money was wasted through duplication and lade of co-ordination in scientific research, the Minister in charge of die Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr Tennent) admitted in the House of Representatives today. Mr Tennent said he felt strongly that there should be a central organisation to control research.

“Therte are 10 or 11 differ- i ent organisations going their i own sweet way and I have found many instances of i money being wasted through i duplication,” Mr Tennent i said. The council for Scientific 1 Research advised the Gov- 1 ernment on research, but it ' had no authority to tell <me i Government department not < to pursue a particular line of i research because it was being i done by another department, i "The council has no teeth at all,” he said. < Mr Tennent said the Royal < Commission on State Services < had been asked to consider i the question of research 1 facilities. i Earlier two back-benchers 1

criticised duplication in research. Mr D. Macintyre (Government, Hastings) said there seemed to be a lot of duplication. “For instance, the Marine Department the DS.I.R., the Navy Department the Island Territories Department and the universities are all dabbling into research on the sea. The time has come for unification of research,” he said. “If we had some central organisation responsible for co-ordinating research, it could have a department to read research publications from overseas—an important function.” Mr H. J. Walker (Govern--

ment, St. Albans) urged an immediate investigation into all aspects of research. *T am sure there is a tremendous waste of money through lack of co-ordina-tion,” he said. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) said the House of Commons and the House of Lords had a scientific committee which had regular meetings with leading scientists and research workers.

He asked Mr Tennent if the Government would consider setting up a similar committee here. Mr Tennent said the idea of members of. Parliament meeting and listening to leading scientists was excellent.

"Unfortunately many of us don’t know exactly what is being done," he added.

The House approved the vote of £2,170,000 for the DJS.I.R. Last year £2,027,986 was spent.