Catalogue description Cabinet Office: Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser: Dr Press's Files

When the Central Defence Scientific Staff was constituted within the unified Ministry of Defence in 1964 Robert Press became Assistant Chief Scientific Adviser, Nuclear. In 1967 he was appointed as a Chief Scientific Officer in the Cabinet Office Science and Technology Group, to specialise in providing advice on nuclear matters. After Solly Zuckerman's retirement Dr Press, as a Deputy Secretary, reported directly to the Secretary of the Cabinet. Sir Alan Cottrell became Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government. On Sir Alan's resignation in April 1974 Dr Press was appointed as Deputy Secretary, Science and Technology, with responsibility within the Cabinet Office for advice on scientific and technological questions. On Dr Press's formal retirement from the Cabinet Office in 1976 the scientific advisory role was transferred to the Central Policy Review Staff, to which a chief scientist was appointed. Dr Press continued to work for the Cabinet Office on a consultancy basis until 1981. He died in 1984.