HC Deb 17 May 1962 vol 659 cc1512-3
10. Mr. Willis

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for encouraging the commercial exploitation in Scotland of the results of government-sponsored research through the agency of the National Research Development Corporation.

24. Mr. Lawson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what co-operation there is between his department in Scotland and the National Research Development Corporation in the sponsoring of science-based industries in Scotland.

25. Mr. Ross

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase it is proposed to make in the staff in Scotland of the National Research Development Corporation during the coming year.

26. Mr. Steele

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many projects have been developed commercially in Scotland through the agency of the National Research Development Corporation.

Mr. N. Macpherson

In discharging its duties to develop inventions the National Research Development Corporation has the responsibility for managing its own affairs, including the disposition of its staff and the placing of contracts. The Corporation places development contracts with those firms which it considers best suited for the work, but it does bear in mind the needs of Scotland. I understand that the Corporation informs the Scottish Council of inventions which are available for commercial exploitation, and is ready to negotiate licensing arrangements for their use by Scottish firms.

Mr. Willis

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this organisation could be developed much more substantially in a manner which would enable it to benefit areas such as those in Scotland which are in very urgent need of science-based industries?

Mr. Macpherson

It is entirely within the competence of the Corporation itself to decide which sort of firm is best capable of handling the products of research which have reached a certain degree of development.

Mr. Lawson

Could not much more be done than this? Surely the Corporation could use its influence to ensure that firms should go to certain areas and enable them to do a double job—develop the industry and develop the area? Why should not the Government sponsor and finance industrial help to carry out their policy?

Mr. Macpherson

I am certain that the Corporation has this in mind. No doubt it will also take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. At present the Corporation is collaborating in the development of hovercraft in Dumbarton and in the processing of hides.

Mr. Mitchison

Is there any possibility of enlarging the functions and the finances of the Corporation in order that it may do rather more and play a larger part?

Mr. Macpherson

It is essentially a research development corporation. It has adequate funds just now. So far, it has drawn about half of the total of £10 million available for it to draw by way of loan