§ 11. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement indicating the effective development of technology in Scotland, the organisation and increase of staff in the Industrial Liaison Centre established at Aberdeen, the scope of its work and the industries affected by it and its plans for the future.
§ Mr. DellAction by the Ministry of Technology is contributing to the technological development of Scottish industry across a very broad front. The future of the Industrial Liaison Centre at Aberdeen is under discussion with the Scottish Education Department. My right hon. Friend is not yet able to make a statement.
§ Mr. HughesIs not one of the aims of the Industrial Liaison Centre to increase trade, industry and commerce in Scotland? If so, will my hon. Friend specify what his plans are in that direction?
§ Mr. DellCertainly one of the objects of the Centre is to assist industry in Scotland. What we are considering is the future staffing and financing of the Centre. The Government are doing a great deal about technological development in Scottish industry, a recent example being the foundation of the Institute of Machine Tool Design.
§ Mr. LawsonIs my hon. Friend aware that a number of my hon. Friends recently saw some of the work being done by his Ministry in Scotland and were very much impressed? May we press him to continue to develop that work?
§ Mr. DellI am very grateful for my hon. Friend's remarks. We have had a number of very important successes—for example, with the low-cost automation clinics al Paisley and Edinburgh.