HC Deb 14 March 1961 vol 636 cc1162-4
3. Sir H. Legge-Bourke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he is satisfied that the volume and quality of research in engineering is adequate to support the country's economy.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

No, Sir. Some branches of engineering would benefit from more research. At the same time, there has been an encouraging increase in both teaching and research in engineering in the universities and the technical colleges. The problem will not, however, be solved until the subject attracts a due proportion of the best intellects in the country.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Does my hon. Friend agree that industry should pay far more attention to the latest report and accounts of the National Research Development Corporation, in particular paragraph 6, which says that industry compares unfavourably with private inventors? Will my hon. Friend see whether he can bring to the attention of industry the reports of both the National Development Corporation and the Advisory Committee on Scientific Policy?

Mr. Freeth

Certainly. We do our best to bring both these documents to the attention of industrialists. However, I think that the weakness of the whole problem is basically the lack of the tradition of research in engineering in many of our universities and also the undoubted prejudices against technological education among parents and schoolmasters. If we can overcome these, we might, I think, make greater progress.

Mr. Peart

Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept from the Opposition our congratulations on his attaining this very important position? We wish him well in his office, although naturally we shall attack him where we think his Department is failing. I ask him not to be complacent about this, because there is no doubt that we are losing the battle in relation to the United States and the Soviet Union. We need many more engineers, and research facilities are important.

Mr. Freeth

I must also express thanks to the hon. Gentleman. Whilst we must not be complacent—I do not think that my original answer showed complacency —we must remember that certain sections of British engineering, such as the electronics industry, have a very fine record in this respect. I fully accept the need for increasing the output of scientists and technologists from our schools, technical colleges and universities. We are doing our best to increase the output.