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steady purposeful advance of an enormous glacier, a glacier of bureaucratic dough. As
Julian droned on, they all fell into a hypnotic state of the kind to which all committees and
boards fall prey from time to time. Realising it was already 3.00 p.m., the Prime Minister
decided to cut the Gordian Knot.
'Rarely, if ever, have I listened to so cogent a case as the one put forward by Sir Harry. It had
been my intention to call on Professor Newton to present technical arguments in its support,
but so thorough has Sir Harry's exposition been that anything further would surely be
superfluous.'
'I agree, Prime Minister. It would be carrying coals to Newcastle,' the Master of Trinity
intervened in his deepest, most decisive tones.
"Thank you, Master. Pressing forward then, we arrive at the question of how we can best go
ahead with the imaginative programme proposed by Professor Newton and analysed so
deeply by Sir Harry, assuming, as I think we can, that financial support from H.M.
Government will be forthcoming. Let me not try standing angels on a penny piece,' continued
the Prime Minister with an eye to the clock. 'At the risk of disturbing the existing state of
affairs, let me say that basing activities in Cambridge as at present would not be the best
arrangement for a continuous and extended programme of telescope construction. Our
universities are best occupied with research activities, not with contractual work, unless it
happens to involve a unique scientific instrument. What are your comments on that didactic
proposition, Professor Newton?'
Isaac Newton thought for a moment, trying to recall exactly what didactic meant, and then
said:
'So far as construction is concerned - by which I mean the overseeing of design details, the
letting of contracts, and the continuing negotiations with manufacturers - I think I'd
acknowledge that a university wouldn't be an ideal centre of activities. Construction
activities, I must emphasise, not operational activities. Universities might well be the places,
however, where the telescopes should eventually be located.'
'Not just Cambridge?'
'No, not just Cambridge. We're already making heavy demands on Jodrell. Obviously all
universities who wish to do so should be encouraged to join.'
'Master, wearing your hat as Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, what have you to say?'
'I agree entirely with the discussion to this point.'
'Possibly a consortium of universities might be the correct form of organisation, Prime
Minister,' Isaac Newton suggested.
'The problem, frankly, for the Government is that we already have an organisation,' the Prime
Minister returned. 'Not one that you approve of particularly, I'm afraid. I mean CERC.'
'I rather thought the resurrection of CERC would be somewhere in the offing,' grunted Isaac
Newton.
At this point the Chancellor came in. Looking across the table squarely at Isaac Newton he
said:
'I think you'll agree this project greatly transcends any purely personal issue.'
'If it were only a personal issue, not one of performance. . .' Isaac Newton countered.
'There is an easy way to guarantee performance,' the Prime Minister said.
'From CERC? How would that be?'
'I said at the beginning, in confidence of course, that Sir Anthony Marshall is leaving CERC.
Which provides the Government with the opportunity to appoint you, Professor Newton, in
his place. Such a course would provide you with the opportunity to ensure the performance
you are looking for in the implementation of your own proposal. Can I possibly say fairer than
that?'
Instantly there came a groan from the Master of Trinity:
'Oh no, I can't bear the thought. Are we to be left in Cambridge without visible means of
support? To quote the good book, Prime Minister:
O give me the comfort of thy help again: and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I
teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto thee.'
'A fine sentiment, Master,' replied the Prime Minister evenly. 'You hardly need to lift your
eyes unto the hills to receive the help for which you crave. If you look a little to your left you
will find a very present help in trouble. I refer, of course, to Professor Waldheim. Appoint him
to the Cavendish and you have the right wavelength immediately, with everything then going
forward at maximum speed.'
'Ah, but it is not so simple. . .' Kurt Waldheim began.
'It is simple, Professor Waldheim. After all, this is your project, you two gentlemen. My role is
only to show you how best to implement what you so much want to do.'
'My wife,' gasped Kurt Waldheim, 'you see she has many votes,
which in a democratic household can make for a little difficulty.'
'Let me follow the precept of the Master,' the Prime Minister continued, in full stride, 'by
quoting the old saw: "Where there's a will there's a way". Which brings us to the end of
business, remembering that on Sir Harry's advice the serious issue of compensations to be
paid to injured persons at the Cavendish Laboratory is to be settled directly between
Professor Newton and myself. Unlike a well-remembered remark of William Cobbett, I think
we can say we have today transacted a great deal of profitable business,' the Prime
Minister concluded, snapping files closed with a relish that suggested that all was now
signed, sealed and delivered.
Ten minutes later the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and Sir Harry Julian were all on their
way back to London in a large black chauffeur- driven limousine. Before leaving the
Chancellor said: [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]