§ 4. Mr. Benceasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what work is being undertaken by his Department in the field of productivity during the National Productivity Year.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethWhere work undertaken by the organisations for which my noble Friend is responsible has some bearing on productivity, these are cooperating with the organisers of National Productivity Year. Some time ago my noble Friend asked the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the organisation with the most direct bearing on the subject, to bear the objectives of National Productivity Year very closely in mind.
§ Mr. BenceIt is not sufficient just to bear the matter in mind. Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that there are here possibilities of major breaks through in all fields of production; and that, if we do not do something far stronger than he has stated, Britain may well not be able to maintain or advance her standard of living in the future? Will he ensure that his Department does much more than just the mediocre work it is doing at present?
§ Mr. FreethI do not think that we are doing work that is only mediocre, either in quantity or quality.