§ 40. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what staff and finance is being employed on micro-biology research by the Directorate of Scientific and Industrial Research for the year 1954; and how these figures compare with the years 1952 and 1953.
§ Mr. BevinsThe number of people engaged on micro-biology research in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was 43 in 1952 and 1953, and rose to 50 in 1954. The cost of the research borne on the Department's Vote was £41,000 in 1952. £49,000 in 1953, and £56,000 in 1954.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonIs the Minister aware that this is a totally inadequate sum for the vitally important scientific work for industrial development? Is he also aware that there are probably only two or three industrial units outside the Department working on these problems and that the whole future of our industrial development will be menaced if there is not sufficient information and research going on all the time in this field?
§ Mr. BevinsOf course this is important work, but the claims on the finances of D.S.I.R. have to be balanced between one form of research and another.