HC Deb 22 April 1958 vol 586 cc749-50
5. Mr. Willey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a statement on the progress of the arrangements made for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research regarding development contracts.

Mr. H. Nicholls

I am unable to add anything to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 26th November last, other than to say that very few proposals have so far been put to the Department; and none has been found suitable for acceptance.

Mr. Willey

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the advisory council expressed disappointment about this matter. If I put down a Question in a few months' time, will he try to give us a better reply?

Mr. Nicholls

It is obvious that the hon. Gentleman has read what the council stated. About seven proposals have been made to the Department but, so far, none has been considered suitable. Each proposal was considered sympathetically but, as the hon. Member will see from the report, it was decided that it would have been spending money unwisely to proceed with the matter any further.