RESIGNATION BLAMED ON GOVT. ‘BUNGLE’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 16

RESIGNATION BLAMED ON GOVT. ‘BUNGLE’

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, June 17.

A Government bungle is blamed by scientists for the resignation of Dr. John Mitchell, who leaves his £4700-a-year post as director of the National Chemical Laboratory at the end of August.

Dp. Mitchell, a New Zealander, is giving up the job after only eight months to return to the University of Virginia. Recently, 40 of the 223 scientists on his staff were transferred to another laboratory. Dr. Mitchell said: I am resigning because of a disagreement with Government policy on the recommendations of the Brundrett Committee.

This committee, chaired by Sir Frederick Brundrett, chief scientific adviser to the Civil Service Commission, recommended that the National Chemical Laboratory group working on the extraction of metals should be transferred to the Warren Spring Laboratory, at Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Last month the Government announced acceptance in principle. The 40 scientists were transferred although they continue working at the National Chemical Laboratory at Teddington, Middlesex,

while new accommodation is built. Dr. Mitchell said: “These Chemists, whose work coincided with many of my Own research interests, were members of the National Chemical Laboratory’s division of inorganic and mineral chemistry. Among-those transferred was the division head, who had been appointed only three months before.” Dr. Mitchell said that the staff transfer was the only recommendation of the Brundrett Committee that had been carried out “Implementation of the others has been postponed,” he said. Dr. Mitchell explained: “I am. not joining the brain drain. I’m not going for any of the normal reasons of salary, equipment facilities, etc. This is a matter of principle.” He said that he was prohibited by law as a civil servant from commenting on the implementation of Government policy.