§ 12. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take following the Science Policy study, which he 622 authorised, in attempting to quantify the benefits of scientific research.
§ Mr. FowlerFurther studies are being commissioned at the University of Manchester to test the method of attempting to quantify benefits which was suggested in the published study.
§ Mr. OsbornWhile I recognise that it is a very valuable document which was published in April, would it not be wise to do more work in this field? What steps is the hon. Gentleman taking to observe recommendations made by some of the studies which have already been carried out?
§ Mr. FowlerA great deal of work is going on in this field, not only in my Department or through the Council for Scientific Policy, but also in the Ministry of Technology. It is very important, and I am keen that we should find reliable methods of quantifying the benefits of scientific research. I do not think it would be easy or necessary to check these policies in the very near future.