These being my views it is only fair that I should indicate whether I and the Society have been able in any way to assist their promotion and, if so, to what extent. Following the appointment of a scientific officer to the Central Policy Review Staff I participated in a number of discussions and arising in part from these government set up a new body called the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development (A.C.A.R.D.), a body consisting largely of independent scientists and technologists from industry and the universities with the Lord Privy Seal as titular chairman and a Fellow of the Society as operative deputy chairman. The formation of A.C.A.R.D. represents a considerable step forward; not only does its membership include several Fellows but the Society has collaborated with it and with A.B.R.C. to produce a most valuable report on Biotechnology, some of whose recommendations are now being put into effect as part of national policy. A.C.A.R.D. has also produced several other smaller reports and its actions to date would seem to augur well for its future. True I consider that A.C.A.R.D.'s remit should extend further than 'applied research and development' if it is to achieve all I would hope for, but until it is accepted by government that there should be a separation of the Research Councils (or, if you will - science) from education some limitations on its activities in regard to scientific policy will remain. In parallel too with the activities of A.C.A.R.D. the Society itself has undertaken, in some cases at the request of government, impartial reviews of evidence obtainable on, for example, the outlook for a 'coal economy'. In this and other ways it is maintaining and again increasing its informal contacts with government in the area of scientific policy.
Progress in such matters is of necessity slow but I feel we are moving on the right lines and that in doing so we not only uphold but maintain for the future the position in our country's affairs that was sought, and in substantial measure achieved, by our predecessors of thirty-five years ago. The Society's objects are and must remain threefold:
(1) To protect and encourage science in all its aspects pure or applied. As Robert Hooke once put it: 'To improve the knowledge of naturall things and all useful Arts, Manufactures, Mechanick practises, Engynes and Inventions by Experiment'.
(2) To offer to government an independent source of advice and help in the creation and operation of instruments through which science and technology may be brought fully to bear upon the formulation of national policy.
(3) To uphold and develop international scientific relations upholding the principle that scientists shall be free to interchange their findings and to collaborate in the search for knowledge without let or hindrance.
To realise these objects the Society must continue to maintain its independence, avoid involvement in politics and at all costs maintain its high standards. The Royal Society is and must remain an elite body if it is to retain its prestige and even its credibility.