HC Deb 18 November 1958 vol 595 cc987-8
11. Mr. Willey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps he is taking to increase the scale of Government aid to scientific research for civil purposes.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Government expenditure on scientific research for civil purposes has more than doubled since 1951. This year the research councils, for which my noble Friend is responsible, will be spending about £20 million as compared with less than £9 million eight years ago, an increase of more than 10 per cent. per annum. The Government have given steady support to the research councils and will continue to do so.

Mr. Willey

That is encouraging, but can the hon. Gentleman say whether he has yet received the proposals from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research for the next quinquennium, which runs to 1964?

Mr. Nicholls

The proposals are in the hands of my noble Friend at the moment, and he is giving very careful consideration to them. I am not in a position at the moment to make any announcement.

Mr. Woodburn

Is private enterprise duly appreciative of the contribution that the nationalised services make to its development?