HC Deb 13 July 1965 vol 716 cc265-6
21. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Minister of Power what steps he has taken to encourage co-operation between the nationalised fuel and power industries in research and development.

Mr. Frederick Lee

I approached the industries earlier this year to see if the co-operation which is already good could be further improved. The national Coal Board and the Central Electricity Generating Board have for some time had a Research Liaison Committee, and I am glad to announce that the Gas Council has now joined with them to form a joint Liaison Committee of the three industries for research and development, so that their scientific potential may be used to the fullest advantage. The primary, though not the exclusive, objective is the improvement of coal utilisation technology.

Mr. Tuck

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will give great satisfaction, at least to hon. Members on this side of the House? Would he indicate whether, as a result of this envisaged co-operation, we can expect a substantial saving in the amounts of money spent by both electricity and gas in advertising against one another?

Mr. Lee

I said that the main objective was to look at coal utilisation technology. The research programmes of the three industries are quite extensive; but I want to bring them into closer co-operation, and I am dosing so. I think that the best way of making a start is by getting at the very genesis of their work in research and development.

Dr. Bray

Would my right hon. Friend consider checking whether their co-operation extends to market research in view of the complicated interactions of the tariffs as between electricity, the bulk supply tariffs, and gas tariffs?

Mr. Lee

At the moment we are mainly concerned with coal utilisation, but I do not rule out what my hon. Friend said. I will put that point forward.