§ 13. Mr. Millanasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what further proposals he has for extending research and development into the civil field as distinct from the field of defence.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethFigures published by the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy show that in the three years 1955–56–1958–59 both Government and other expenditure on research and development in the civil field increased more rapidly than that in the field of defence. Further figures will be available at the end of this year, and I would expect them to show that this trend has continued.
§ Mr. MillanWe appreciate very much what the Government are doing already, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are still many sectors of private industry where too little research is going on? Will the Government take the initiative in this matter either directly or by putting more emphasis on the placing of research and development contracts within industry, for instance?
§ Mr. FreethIf applications are made to us for development contracts, they will be considered with every sympathy whether they come from Scotland or from anywhere else.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeDoes my hon. Friend agree that a good deal of 955 stimulus could be given to research in the civil field if industries and firms within industries would take a little more interest in the research associations of their respective industries?
§ Mr. FreethI think that this is true, and I am very pleased to see an increasing awareness of this problem in the research associations themselves; more and more of them are considering having either Scottish councils or Scottish liaison officers.