Catalogue description Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: Intelligence Division: Registered Files

The Intelligence Division was formed at the headquarters offices of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in February 1946, its function being the distribution of information concerning the results of research work carried out by the department, a function previously carried out by the Ministry of Production prior to its dissolution. An Overseas Liaison Division was set up in association with the British Commonwealth Scientific Offices (BCSO) in London and Washington, and was responsible for organising and maintaining common services for those offices; it was merged with the Information Division in 1959. In the course of its work the division (later renamed the Information Division) absorbed the functions of the Technical Information Documents Unit upon its transfer from the Board of Trade in April 1951. From 1954 the division included an Industrial Operations Unit which studied and advised on the application of improved industrial engineering techniques in conjunction with the Industrial Research Association, and from 1962 was responsible for the running of the National Lending Library for Science and Technology