HC Deb 10 May 1966 vol 728 cc195-7
14 and 15. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Technology (1) if he will give an estimate of the total cost of his forthcoming visit and that of his team of advisers to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

(2) what objectives he will seek to achieve during his visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

20. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Technology what is the purpose of his visit to Russia.

Mr. Shore

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 25th April, he hopes to have discussions with the Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology and other authorities on matters of mutual interest in the management of technological and scientific resources. His programme has been arranged to give him the opportunity of seeing how the Russians deal with these problems.

My right hon. Friend and his party are visiting at the invitation of the Soviet Government, and so there will be no charge to the Department's Vote except for air travel to and from the U.S.S.R. and for incidental expenses.

Mr. Morrison

The right hon. Gentleman having visited Russia once already, would not his time have been better spent—and the taxpayers' money better spent—if he had visited some other country—perhaps, in particular, the United States or a Common Market country—or was he unduly frightened that he might have been impressed by private enterprises?

Mr. Shore

I need only say that it was because my right hon. Friend visited the Soviet Union for three days earlier in the year that a number of very interesting aspects of Soviet work were apparent to him, and the opportunity arose for a further and more prolonged visit. I do not think that it is surprising, and I hope that hon. Members will agree that a visit of this kind should take place when one is considering, after all, one of the most advanced technologies and industrial systems in the world.

Mr. Osborn

Can the hon. Gentleman state the exact date when the Minister is leaving—or left—for Russia, and is that the reason for his absence today? Can he indicate what establishments his right hon. Friend will be visiting, particularly in connection with scientific and technological planning?

Mr. Shore

My right hon. Friend's visit was agreed about a fortnight ago, and he left yesterday. I will not give a comprehensive list of the establishments he intends to visit, but it includes the U.S.S.R. Academy of Science, the Institute of Cybernetics at Kiev, the Institute of Automation, Kiev, and the Computer Centre, Institute of Automatics and Electrometry.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the fact that the Opposition have been trying to get rid of my right hon. Friend the Minister, why should they object if he goes away for only a few days?

Sir D. Renton

Has it not been known for certain for about a month that the Minister would have to answer Questions in this House at the top of the list today? Is he doing any public business for this country in Russia, or is he merely completing his education by going there? Will one of the—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. That question is getting too long. Even Privy Councillors must ask short questions.

Sir D. Renton

Will the hon. Gentleman say why the priorities have got wrong in this case?

Mr. Shore

Priorities are a matter of judgment. I do not think the House would wish to take too parochial a view of the advantages of travelling abroad.

Mr. David Price

I must press the Parliamentary Secretary on this. Can he tell us what particular benefit his right hon. Friend is achieving today that he would not have achieved by postponing his visit for two days in order to answer Question in this House? His turn comes up only once in six weeks, and at the moment he is at a military review of 120 troops with equipment. Would he not do better by answering Questions in this House?

Mr. Shore

I am sure that my right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable on this occasion to answer Questions in this House, but I quote from the remark he make before he went: Despite the many differences between our two systems of Government, I believe we can learn from each other's methods and techniques for planning and managing research and development. I share his view.