§ 15. Mr. Willisasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what account is taken of regional development needs in deciding upon the location of Government research and development undertakings and institutions.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethMy noble Friend has asked all Research Councils for which he is responsible to bear these considerations in mind, but the primary consideration must, of course, be scientific efficiency. The results of research are in any case available to the whole country.
§ Mr. WillisIn view of the benefits accruing to the regions where these undertakings and institutions are situated, there is increasing concern at the extent to which they being located in and around London or the South-East. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most of the development areas, in Scotland particularly, feel that they could benefit much more if these research institutions were distributed much more widely?
§ Mr. FreethIf one is to generalise, I think that research institutions should be situated, where they are closely connected with an industry, near to the centre of the industry. Otherwise, I think that, in general, they should be situated, as the Zuckerman Report suggested, fairly close to a university or other institution of education or research. We do bear these considerations in mind.