HC Deb 04 December 1962 vol 668 cc1132-3
27. Mr. Denis Howell

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what proportions of research and development funds are spent on defence compared with civil science.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

I would ask the hon. Member to await the forthcoming report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, which will contain the latest estimates of total research and development expenditure and will show the proportion devoted to defence.

Mr. Howell

When is this report likely to be available to us?

Mr. Freeth

I hope that it will be early in the New Year.

Mr. Mason

Why has not the Minister got the latest figures available, without waiting for the report? Secondly, reference has been made to the money spent by the Ministry of Science on civil and military projects. In view of the fact that Blue Streak was cancelled as a military project and is now going ahead as a civil project, can the Minister say to what extent the work is proving successful, and how much money has been spent on it and how many rockets we are developing on the civil side?

Mr. Freeth

The question of Blue Streak, which is being developed in connection with the European Launcher Development Organisation, is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation. As for the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, it would be much better to await the full report of the Advisory Council, in order that the figures may be authoritatively commented on.

Mr. Mason

Is not the Minister an authority? Is not he the House of Commons head of this Department? I know that we cannot question the Minister for Science, but when a Question is put down, of which he receives 48 hours' notice, why cannot be give the information? Why should we have to await the report?

Mr. Freeth

The hon. Member will find that it is much more satisfactory if these figures, which I have not got, are properly dissected by the Advisory Council, which exists in part for this purpose.