This document reports the view and recommendations expressed at the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Group on Scientific and Technical Information of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It is divided into five sections: (1) Introduction, which advocates that policy for processing and disseminating scientific and technical information be considered an inseparable part of policy for science and technology, (2) Current Information Policy and Practices, (3) Goals for a National Policy on Scientific and Technical Information, which include promoting the efficient and successful development of the nation's capability in science and technology, (4) Implications for Public Policy, which include international interdependence, and (5) Conclusions and Recommendations. Conclusions include: (1) The activities of the OECD in the scientific and technical information field have been constructive and should be expanded; (2) The rapid expansion of knowledge, especially in the fields of science and technology, makes it increasingly difficult to share and use information effectively, and governments at the highest level ought to accord priority attention to developing methods for the efficient use of new information; (3) Proper handling of scientific and technical information must not be regarded as an administrative or mechanical matter. It is recommended that policies and strategies for scientific and technical information be developed as an integral part of the design of policy as a whole and R and D policy in particular. (CK)