HC Deb 28 May 1962 vol 660 c956
16. Mr. Lawson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what consideration is being given to the further promotion of civil research and development by the institution of general arrangements for assisting in the financing of private industry's own ventures.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

None, Sir. The present arrangements are sufficiently flexible.

Mr. Lawson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this was another of the recommendations made by the Toothill Committee when it pointed out that in a number of cases there are not sufficient means to meet the needs of small industries unable to turn to the normal sources of finance and that, on this basis, ideas or projects which might be very useful to the country, and in this case to Scotland in particular, are, perhaps, not developed? Will he give this matter a little more consideration?

Mr. Freeth

I shall be pleased to consider the matter further. In fact, my hon. Friend and I think about it a lot. If the hon. Gentleman knows of any firm which has made an application to the D.S.I.R. for a development contract and thinks that it has not been fairly treated, I hope that he will let me know.