§ 52. Mr. Saltasked the Lord President of the Council to what extent capital grants for research enterprises have been made through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research during each of the past 10 years; and whether he will consider the desirability of an extension of such grants in connection with postwar reconstruction, especially in connection with the rebuilding and extension of university and industrial laboratories.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Attlee)With the exception of small grants for the purchase of equipment by scientists no direct capital grants have been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in the last 10 years, although through its contributions to Industrial Research Associations, the Department has indirectly contributed to their expenditure on capital items. The making of grants for capital purposes is already under consideration as part of a comprehensive review of post-war requirements. The question of re-building and extending University Laboratories is a matter for consideration by the University Grants Committee in the first place.