HC Deb 17 March 1959 vol 602 cc186-7
17. Mr. Lagden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what facilities exist in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for providing help to research workers in the choice of suitable British scientific instruments for their investigations.

Mr. H. Nicholls

An instrument inquiry service is provided at the British Scientific Instrument Research Association and is largely financed by a contribution from the Scientific Instrument Manufacturers' Association and an equal grant from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Mr. Lagden

May I inquire if the service is proving valuable, and if it is limited to the members of the Association?

Mr. Nicholls

The number of inquiries at the present time is running at the rate of 2,200 a year and it is expected to grow considerably. Any bona fide inquirer can use the service and obtain advice.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

On a point of order. Is not it really an abuse of the House that we should have these inspired Questions and very long inspired Answers?

Mr. Speaker

It is quite in order.

18. Mr. Lagden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is doing to encourage the design of better and more attractive scientific instruments in order to compete in both the home and overseas markets against some of the foreign instruments now being produced.

Mr. H. Nicholls

The British Scientific Instrument Research Association, which is supported by the Department, is active in this field. It has a Working Party on Instrument Design which among other things reviews the specification, price and appearance of a variety of foreign instruments. In this way up-to-date information is made available to manufacturers of British instruments. In addition other research associations and the Department's research stations also design new scientific instruments, some of which are in production.

Mr. Lagden

May I inquire what is done with this inspiring information, and is the Board of Trade aware of it?

Mr. Nicholls

It is collated and used by members of the Association, who can call for it at any time.