S-Branch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Msrasnw (talk | contribs) at 21:58, 6 August 2012. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The S-Branch, was a small group of academic economists, established in 1939 at the Admiralty by Frederick Lindemann. Its role was to report directly to Churchill distilling complex data into succinct charts and figures, to aid speedy evaluation. Members of the S-Branch included Sir Roy Harrod, G. L. S. Shackle, Helen Makower and later, D. G. Champernowne and David Bensusan-Butt. The operation of this statistical branch often caused tensions between government departments, but it was important because it allowed Churchill to make quick decisions based on accurate data.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ^ Blake, R (2004). "Lindemann, Frederick Alexander, Viscount Cherwell (1886–1957)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ Booth, Alan (1986). Economic Advice at the Centre of British Government, 1939–1941. The Historical Journal, 29 , pp 655-675 doi:10.1017/S0018246X00018951
  3. ^ Harcourt, G. C. (1981) Notes on an Economic Querist: G. L. S. Shackle, Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, Vol. 4, No. 1, Autumn, pp. 136-144