§ 17. Mr. Cobbasked the Assistant Post master-General what sum of money was paid by the G.P.O. to the telecommunications industry for research and development, respectively, in the 12 months ended June, 1937, and 1945, respectively; and how many engineer and physicist hours were placed at the disposal of the Government thereby.
§ Mr. BurkeThe Post Office does not normally make payments to the telecommunications industry specifically for research and development; the cost of such work forms part of the expenses of the industry and is reflected in the price paid by the Post Office for telecommunications equipment. I have no information about the number of engineer and physicist hour's employed by manufacturersin connection with Post Office contracts.
§ Mr. CobbIs it not a fact that most of the telecommunications apparatus in use by the Post Office is manufactured by contractors and not by the Post Office? Can my hon. Friend say how much of that apparatus so supplied was the result of British research and development?