§ 13. Mr. Albuasked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what steps are being taken by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to encourage research into shipbuilding methods.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is now discussing with the British Shipbuilding Research Association, to which it gives a grant-in-aid, ways in which research could be extended to construction methods and shipyard practice with the object of improving productivity.
§ Mr. AlbuDoes that Answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman's noble Friend is aware that there is very little research into shipbuilding methods in this country, as well as far too little employment of scientifically qualified staff, so that it is extremely difficult to introduce radical new methods into shipbuilding, as well as machines such as 1325 the new computor-controlled plate-cutting machine, which has been developed in my constituency?
§ Sir D. EcclesMy noble Friend is taking an urgent and personal interest in this matter.