§ 10. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what research is taking place into the microbiology of coal and petrôleum; and whether he is satisfied with it, having regard to their potential economic value.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethNo research is in progress in Government laboratories into the microbiology of coal or petrôleum. However, the D.S.I.R. will consider on its merits any application for grant for such a research.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonDoes the hon. Gentleman not feel that this is a very serious defect in our scientific research, particularly as it is alleged that the Soviet Union have more than 50 high-grade scientists on this work and similar work is being done in three or four Departments in the United States? Does not this defect follow from the unfortunate closing of the Ministry's own department of microbiological research?
§ Mr. FreethMy noble Friend's advisers do not consider that the decision to close the microbiology group of the National Chemical Laboratory was wrong. They still think that this research is best undertaken in the universities, and I believe that a certain amount is undertaken.
§ 11. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what research is taking place into the biosynthetic properties of microbes in producing amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes and polysaccharides; and what plans there are for developing these fields of research.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethI am sending the hon. Member details of the work in this field which is being carried out by the Research Councils for which my noble Friend is responsible.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonAs this type of research work is very essential both to the nation's economy and general industrial development, would the Parliamentary Secretary see whether it is not possible to expand the microbiological research establishment at Porton? If that were 953 possible, would he not take pride in the fact that the toxins of war might be converted into the hormones of peace?
§ Mr. FreethThat question belongs to my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War whose responsibility it is.
§ Mr. MitchisonWould the hon. Gentleman also publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details which he is sending to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. Skeffington)?
§ Mr. FreethI cannot put the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT today, but I will send the hon. and learned Member a copy as soon as all the information is collated.