SZ/ORC/3/4 - Sub-Committee on a Proposal for an Institute of Tropical Agriculture

SZ/ORC/3/4

Sub-file

Sub-Committee on a Proposal for an Institute of Tropical Agriculture

1959

Two sub-sub files

The Sub-Committee was established on 24.11.59 and was chaired by SZ. The other members were Sir Jock Campbell, Mr G.W. Nye, Sir Joseph Hutchinson, and Sir William Slater. The terms of reference were:

"To prepare a paper, on the lines suggested at the meeting of the Overseas Research Council on 24th November, 1959... on the need for an Institute of Tropical Agriculture".

It appears that only one meeting was held, on 9.12.59, attended by SZ, Campbell, and Nye, after which a report was submitted to the ORC in January 1960.

The Committee concluded that there was "a strong prima facie case for establishing in the United Kingdom an agency to foster our contribution to tropical agricultural science" but that it was "not possible at this stage, and without examining the whole matter a great deal further, to set out in detail what would be the most appropriate structure and constitution... or what its precise functions should be." A study was recommended, in the light of which the case for a permanent agency, and its form, would be considered by those responsible for the study. A priority for the study should be the needs of tropical countries for expatriate staff, the extent to which those needs could be met by the development of existing organisations, and the extent to which a new agency was desirable that could provide a link between existing organisations and countries wishing to employ UK personnel.

It was proposed that a steering committee, composed of the members of the Sub-Committee with the addition of Sir Alexander Fleck, should be set up, a Study Director appointed, and a small secretariat provided to support the Director. It was estimated that the study would not exceed £10,000 p.a. "for, at the most, three years". It was felt that it would be inappropriate to seek funding for the study from private, industrial, or commercial sources.