§ 10. Mr. Wallaceasked the Minister of Technology to what extent the work of the National Research Development Corporation has expanded in 1965; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CousinsThe main expansion has been in the number and value of development projects financed by the Corporation. At the end of June, 1965 the Corporation had in hand 95 such projects as compared with the 60 at the end of June 1964. Since then 17 new projects have been authorised and a further 120 are under assessment.
The Corporation's forward commitments on development projects now amount to more than £8 million which is a six-fold increase on the corresponding figure last year.
§ Mr. WallaceIs my right hon. Friend aware that the public relations side of his Ministry needs improving and that those responsible must pull their finger out? Would he state the amount of advances in the previous year as against the current year?
§ Mr. CousinsThe question whether the Department needs to improve its public relations is one upon which there may be differences of opinion. I have always thought that the more effective way of doing a job was to do it rather than talk about it, but this is a matter of opinion. As to the comparison between the advances, the total up to April, 1965, was £1,510,000, for the six months, and the total for the 12 months to June, 1964, was £710,000.