§ 7. Mr. K. Lewisasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what arrangements are made by the Atomic Energy Authority, outside electrical energy, for research information, ripe for development, to be passed to British industry.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Authority advises me that it brings such information to the notice of the appropriate sections of industry by every suitable means. New patents are widely publicised, development contracts are given to firms, and facilities are available for firms with interests in specific fields to obtain unpublished technological information under training or access agreements.
§ Mr. LewisIs my hon. Friend aware that there is some apprehension in this industry that certain secret information which is released to foreign Governments is being made available to foreign industry but is not available to our own industry? Will he look at this in the interests of the export trade?
§ Mr. FreethCertainly. I have no knowledge of any such thing happening. Perhaps my hon. Friend will write to me and give me full details. I will then ask the Authority to look into it.
§ Mr. PeartIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Atomic Energy Authority is a remarkable example of public enterprise? [Interruption.] Certainly. It has given wonderful scientific information to private industry, as private industry itself acknowledges. After all, there should be a partnership in this matter.
§ Mr. FreethI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the praise which he has 1167 given to the Atomic Energy Authority during a period of Conservative rule.
§ 10. Mr. Peartasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what are his proposals to improve the collation and dissemination of scientific information.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethI would draw the attention of the hon. Member to the recent establishment of the National Lending Library of Science and Technology and to the statement made in another place by my noble Friend, on 31st May, 1960, about the Government decision to establish a National Reference Library of Science and Invention. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has recently established a Standing Committee on the Dissemination of Scientific and Technical Information. The Atomic Energy Authority also has a well-organised system of disseminating news of developments in atomic energy projects to interested parties, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
§ Mr. PeartThe Parliamentary Secretary has mentioned the D.S.I.R. Is he aware that in the Advisory Council's Report on Scientific Policy this problem was stressed, but as yet we have not enough liaison officers? Will he bear in mind the type of organisation which has existed in the agricultural industry, namely, the National Advisory Service? In future he should think on similar lines.
§ Mr. FreethI think the hon. Member has a Question down for a future date on liaison officers. Setting up something like the National Advisory Service would have to be a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in the same way as the National Advisory Service is under the Ministry of Agriculture.