Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

this time Kenneth Baker, the Cabinet Minister for Education and Science, was
reported to have said that BAS was " a jewel in the crown of British Science."
I had had an outstanding record in Antarctic research and management for an
aggregate of 24 years and as Director of BAS for 14 years had an important role in
national and international policy making. BAS was responsible for the discovery of
the ozone hole during my directorship; indeed if I had not successfully protected
BAS science, the world might still be in blissful ignorance of a very major global
problem. The identification of the problem led to the first global treaty to reduce
pollution, held under the auspices of the United Nations in Montreal in September,
l987, the Montreal Protocol. Also, as chairman of the respective scientific committees,
I was instrumental in the achievement of two important international conventions
(the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals and the Convention for the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources); this in addition to my
contribution in Africa.
BAS was one of the three largest institutes in NERC and the most varied and
complex in its science and management problems. In view of my outstanding
contribution why did I not get a knighthood on retiring? The explanation I think is
that, as a government servant, the nomination would be expected to be made by
NERC/DES. In protecting BAS and the national interest - with my eyes open to the
consequences - I had clashed with both organisations and become very unpopular
for frustrating their plans. This didn't endear me to the bureaucrats and certainly
scuppered my chances of a K through official channels. In fact three directors of other
NERC institutes who retired within a year of me (Malcolm Brown, BGS; Tony
Laughton, IOS; Eric Denton, MBA) all received knighthoods, as did their
predecessors. So did Hugh Fish, Chairman of NERC for four years - no leader and
with few achievements to his credit as a scientist or a manager. I still feel angry
about this, not just for myself - it matters, but not overwhelmingly. It is enough that I
know the truth myself, but it was unjust and is a slur on my colleagues in BAS who
served me loyally and well.
On my retirement from British Antarctic Survey a sum of money was collected
to establish a Prize to be awarded annually in my name. The Laws Prize is awarded
to outstanding young scientists of BAS in recognition of their achievements, whilst
fulfilling the primary purpose of the BAS. The first prize was awarded in l989.
232