§ 14. Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science which research associations he has visited since his appointment; and whether he will make a statement on the nature of their work and the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards them.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethI have so far visited the twenty-four research associations named in the list which, with permission, I will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT. AS regards the nature of their work and the Government's policy towards them, I do not wish to anticipate the results of the review which, as my noble Friend announced on 15th November in another place, the Chairman of the D.S.I.R. Council has been asked to undertake.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWhile congratulating my hon. Friend on the immense vigour and enthusiasm which he has brought to bear upon this matter—
§ Mr. NabarroThe P.P.S.s' bench is lower down.
§ Sir H. Legge-Bourke—may I ask him whether he is doing all he can to assist research organisations to get the industries concerned to adopt some of their latest developments, which, if put into operation, could possibly save many millions of pounds?
§ Mr. FreethI certainly agree with my hon. Friend that if the results of the research associations were adopted more 1113 fully by British industry, costs in industry could be substantially reduced. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind remarks.
§ Following is the information:
- British Baking Industries Research Association
- British Boot. Shoe and Allied Trades Research Association.
- British Electrical and Allied Industries Research Association.
- Files Research Council.
- Research Association of British Flour Millers
- British Food Manufacturing Industries Research Association.
- Furniture Industry Research Association.
- British Gelatine and Glue Research Association.
- Heating and Ventilating Research Association.
- Hosiery and Allied Trades Research Association.
- British Iron and Steel Research Association.
- British Jute Trade Research Association.
- Lace Research Association.
- British Launderers' Research Association.
- British Leather Manufacturers' Research Association.
- Linen Industry Research Association.
- British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association.
- Research Association of British Paint, Colour and Varnish Manufacturers.
- Printing, Packaging and Allied Trades Research Association.
- Production Engineering Research Association of Great Britain.
- British Scientific Instrument Research Association.
- Spring Manufacturers' Research Association.
- British Steel Castings Research Association.
- Wool Industries Research Association.
§ 25. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how many research projects in research associations are at present being sponsored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; and what is their cost.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethOne, Sir, at a cost of £10,000 a year.
§ Mr. OsbornDoes my hon. Friend consider that enough is spent in this way? What are his proposals for the future?
§ Mr. FreethI very much hope that we shall be able to increase the number of such sponsored projects, but D.S.I.R.'s main contribution to research associations is in the form of the grants it makes to supplement industrial incomes. I think that the Answer I originally gave could be misleading, because the research associations carry out a large number of research and development projects for other Departments of the Government.