§ 19. Mr. Brian Parkynasked the Minister of Technology how much Government money was spent last year on whisker chemistry; and whether he will intensify research effort in this field in the future.
§ Dr. BrayGovernment expenditure last year on whisker technology was approximately £85,000 shared between Ministry 1252 of Aviation, the Atomic Energy Authority, and the Science Research Council. The future of these programmes is currently under review.
§ Mr. ParkynIn thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether, in view of the tremendous future importance of these new types of metal, he will ensure that there is adequate liaison and co-operation between those carrying out work in universities and industry and also in Government establishments?
§ Dr. BrayThe Ministry of Technology has had no request from industry for sponsorship of work in this field. It is an expensive field of research and we would be interested in any approaches. As for co-ordination with the universities, there is at present sponsorship amounting to a cost of £5,000, and we would certainly accept that there is scope for expansion here.