§ 38. Mr. Porterasked the Minister of Works to what extent the building trade employers are now taking full advantage of the work of the Building Research Department.
§ Mr. EcclesThe results of building research and development are made known to builders by publications, lectures, films and exhibitions, and by answer to particular inquiries. The precise extent to which they are applied cannot be measured, but I believe that builders are increasingly aware of the value of these results.
§ Mr. PorterIs the Minister aware that for at least the last 50 years it has been acknowledged by the people concerned that the industry has never taken advantage of possible developments? Is he aware that only as far back as last August a noble Lord in another place drew attention to the fact that the building industry was not taking advantage of these improvements? Is it not a fact that it is because the industry is not taking that advantage that 15 per cent. of the personnel concerned with building research work were sacked some time ago?
§ Mr. EcclesThere is something in what the hon. Member has just said, but we are making progress now. Last year we had a larger demand for lectures and exhibitions of plant, and for films, than ever before. I think that slowly we are making some progress.