[1][2][3][4][5] The SERC also had oversight of: From its formation in 1965 until 1981 it was known as the Science Research Council (SRC).
The SRC had been formed in 1965 as a result of the Trend Committee enquiry into the organisation of civil science in the UK.
Previously the Minister for Science had been responsible for various research activities in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and more loosely with a variety of agencies concerned with the formulation of civil scientific policy.
One of the main problems addressed by the enquiry was how to decide the priorities for government funding across all areas of scientific research.
Previously this task had been the responsibility of the Treasury without direct scientific advice.