HC Deb 14 October 1968 vol 770 cc13-4
19. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the results of his Department's study of the technical and industrial needs of Scotland.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Dr. Jeremy Bray)

The Department contributes fully to the Government's policies for the modernisation of traditional industries in Scotland and to the encouragement of new advanced industry there.

Mr. Hughes

Does my hon. Friend realise that this Question is an attempt to bring the matter down from the clouds of abstract technology to the practical needs of Scotland, which has great potentialities both in productivity and in exports? Will my hon. Friend direct his mind to that aspect of the question?

Dr. Bray

I do not think that many people in Scottish industry who have used the low cost automation centres or worked in any of the four computer fac- tories in Scotland, or who will work in the fifth one to be established there, regard the activities of this Department as in any way in the clouds. I think that my hon. and learned Friend has recognised this often in the past.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Did not the Department's study confirm that one of the best services the Government can do for Scotland is to scrap the Transport Bill and the S.E.T.?

Mr. MacLennan

Will my hon. Friend consider initiating discussions with industry in Scotland with a view to seeing what services can be provided by the Atomic Energy Authority at its establishment at Dounreay? I am thinking of services of the kind which are well known at the Authority's other centres in England, and which are provided under Section 4 of the Science and Technology Act, 1965?

Dr. Bray

My right hon. Friend recently met the staff from Dounreay and promised to examine this proposal. I assure my hon. Friend that we are in constant touch with the Authority on how best to use its resources.

Mr. G. Campbell

Do the Government recognise the importance of encouraging technological research and development generally to be established in Scotland?

Dr. Bray

Yes, Sir. We finance a great deal more research and development in Scotland than we are able to do in any other development area.