§ 24. Mr. Albuasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how many members of the staffs of industrial research associations have paid official visits abroad during each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethI do not have this information since the industrial research associations which are grant-aided by the. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research are independent co-operative bodies and such staff matters are within the competence of their own councils.
Mr. AlbaWhen considering the financing of such associations, will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that they have a very high reputation abroad, that in fact many of the senior members of their staff do go abroad and participate in conferences and give advice, and that they in fact are doing a very useful job for British industry? This is one of the reasons why they need more money.
§ Mr. FreethI do not think that the Government should give particular grants to research associations to be used for this purpose only. I think that out of the general grant we must leave it to the research associations to decide upon the amount of travelling which they wish their members to undertake. This will differ greatly from research association to research association. My noble Friend and I are very keen indeed that their names should stand high in the scientific councils of the world.
§ Mr. AlbuDoes the Parliamentary Secretary recognise that in fact it does stand very high indeed and that they are performing a very useful function in doing this?
§ Mr. FreethI rejoice that the hon. Member and I are agreed on these two points.