§ 10. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Technology, following the Report of the Joint Working Group on Computer Research under the chairmanship of Professor B. H. Flowers, what assistance he has now given to research associations and other organisations responsible to or co-ordinated by his Department to install and operate computers; what has been the cost to public funds in each case and in total; and what further proposals he has for the current year.
§ Mr. DellThe Ministry of Technology has made two capital grants to assist research associations to install computers. A grant of £47,300 has been awarded to the British Iron and Steel Research Association and one of £10,000 to the British Coal Utilisation Research Association, but no payment from public funds has yet been made. A number of applications for assistance to research 194 associations have been received and are under consideration.
§ Mr. OsbornDoes the Joint Parliamentary Secretary agree that there is need now to encourage the use of computers in industry, and that one of the best ways of doing that is through research associations? Is he satisfied that the balance of aid to research associations in industry, as against universities, is correct?
§ Mr. DellI think that it is correct. In the two cases decided on we have given a 25 per cent. grant to the research associations. There are other grants under consideration. This is one of the very many methods we are now using to develop the use of computers in industry.
§ Mr. DalyellCan my hon. Friend confirm that the main recommendation of the Flowers Committee is being carried out?
§ Mr. DellThe main recommendation of the Flowers Committee is being carried out but, of course, the Flowers Committee was referring to universities and research councils rather than research associations, and those councils are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.