Two Vice-presidents of the Institution initiated the debate on 13 January-Dr. A. R. Collins, speaking in favour of the motion, and Mr. Brian Scruby against. The following report of the proceedings is offered against the background of the note which appeared in The Structural Engineer, January 1966, p.3 and, as mentioned by Mr. Scruby in his opening remarks, in the knowledge that it was the Institution’s custom that the first Ordinary Meeting of the New Year should be conducted in a lighter vein.