§ 64. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Production how the scope of research in radio electronics and expenditure thereon by the Post Office, the British Broadcasting Corporation, Cables and Wireless, radio manufacturers and other interests concerned with communications and radio compares with that of the American Bell Telephone Company, Radio Corporation, General Electric Company and other similar United States interests; and whether he proposes to 537 initiate comparative developments in this country?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Production (Mr. Garro Jones)No details are available of corn-parable American expenditure, and in any case it would not be in the national interest to give particulars of the scope of our own research in the radio field or of the expenditure upon it. I am afraid, therefore, that it is not possible to make the comparison asked for. I should add that a vast amount of work has been and is being done in this field by Government Departments, by the B.B.C. and by industry. With regard to the last part of the Question, very close contact is maintained with similar agencies in the U.S.A. Generally, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the vital importance of this work is fully appreciated.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishIs it not a fact that the American interests mentioned in the Question expend something like £7,000,000 annually on this research?
§ Mr. Garro JonesI do not know how much the American interests have expended, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that we are not behind them in achievement.