Industrial Firms (Modernisation)

HC Deb 15 June 1965 vol 714 cc219-20

7. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Technology what assistance his Department provides for industrial firms to enable them to adopt modern methods of production and distribution.

Mr. Cousins

All the resources of my Department are intended to help industry in the direction my right hon. Friend indicates. In particular, a prime function of the industrial liaison officers I have appointed throughout the country is to encourage industry to adopt the results of research: and a considerable proportion of the research and development activities sponsored by my Department also have this object.

Mr. Shinwell

Does my right hon. Friend's Answer mean that he accepts some responsibility for assisting industrial firms to adopt modern methods of production? Does he not agree that there may be too many industrial firms which appear to have a vested interest in obsolescence and which are content with their existing positions? Has he prepared an analysis of such firms?

Mr. Cousins

No, an analysis of such firms has not been prepared. However, my Department's original organisation has been strengthened, having in mind the purpose mentioned in my right hon. Friend's first supplementary question. We accept responsibility for bringing the results of research to industry in any district.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the advice which he gives to firms includes advice on how to elicit higher productivity from members of the trade unions, including the Transport and General Workers' Union?

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the contribution which industry has to give to his Department about the most modern methods which could well be employed by other industries is equal to, if not greater than, his own Department can contribute to industry?

Mr. Cousins

Certainly we have that in mind. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is aware that we have an advisory committee of our own whose members are drawn from very high levels of British industry and which gives us advice, which we think is useful.