HC Deb 02 June 1959 vol 606 cc6-7
8. Mr. Gurden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the value of scientific cinematography is fully appreciated in this country; and to what extent the work done in Russia in this respect has been studied.

Mr. H. Nicholls

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has recognised the importance of this subject by holding a conference in London under the title of "The Cine Camera and Industrial Research" in April last year. It was attended by over 300 representatives of research organisations. An appreciable amount of information on the extensive use in U.S.S.R. of cine films for scientific purposes was obtained at the Twelfth Congress of the International Scientific Film Association held in Moscow in September last year.

Mr. Gurden

I thank my hon. Friend for that information, but what of the future? His answer was concerned with the past.

Mr. Nicholls

The Twelfth Congress was in Moscow and the thirteenth will be in Oxford and London this year. We have undertaken to finance it to the extent of £2,500, provided industry finds an equivalent amount.