§ 17. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Technology how many institutes of technology he has set up in universities, colleges of advanced technology, and elsewhere, respectively; for what purpose they were set up; how they have been financed; and what has been the cost borne by his Department.
§ Mr. ShoreNone yet, Sir. Preparatory work is in hand and the first institute, at East Kilbride, will begin as soon as the appropriate appointments are made.
§ Mr. OsbornCan the hon. Gentleman say what number is envisaged and whether arrangements will be made to explain to us what his proposals are, because these institutes are neither research associations, universities, nor colleges of technology? They seem to be a new breed of activity for scientific development. Would the Minister make a statement about his proposals for the future of the institutes?
§ Mr. ShoreI will ask my right hon. Friend to consider this. These institutes in a sense fill a gap between existing research stations and universities and, to some extent, they are hybrid. Their origin can be traced back to the Fielden Report, which the hon. Gentleman will remember. There are a number of proposals at present being considered for new institutes, but we are not yet ready to make a statement.
§ Mr. David PriceWould the hon. Gentleman agree that for a large number of reasons it is very much better that these institutes should be set up within a university campus rather than being set up in isolation?
§ Mr. ShoreYes, I would agree with that, and I am sure that wherever possible this will be the pattern.