§ 26. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Technology if he will list the technico-economic studies which he has authorised this year; what will be the cost of each; which organisations are carrying out these studies; and how many consultants from outside the country will be employed in each case and in total.
§ Dr. BrayA list of technico-economic studies authorised in the current financial year is being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Of the 24 studies costing £570,028 one study costing £17,000 is to be carried out by an organisation from outside this country. Its study team will include one member of British, and three of non-British, nationality.
| TECHNICO-ECONOMIC STUDIES AUTHORISED BY THE MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY SINCE 1ST APRIL, 1968 | ||
| Study | Cost | Organisation |
| Preliminary examination of economics of Hovercraft operations. | £2,725 | College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. |
| Cost effectiveness of navigation systems for transport aircraft. | £7,738 (for 2nd year of 3-year study) | University of Lancaster. |
| Dissemination of R & D Information from a Government Research Laboratory. | £500 | University of Strathclyde. |
| Assistance in economic appraisal of research projects at National Engineering Laboratory. | £1,200 | University of Stirling. |
| Marketing in relation to design in the machine tool industry. | £1,350 | University of Strathclyde. |
| Potential field of application of ausformed tools. | £4,200 | International Research and Development Co. Ltd. |
| Potential field of application of ausformed high-strength components. | £2,840 | International Research and Development Co. Ltd. |
| Problem of removal of swarf from machine tools. | £9,500 | Machine Tool Industry Research Association. |
| Establishment of Group Technology Centre to examine, co-ordinate and promote systems of Group Technology. | £300,000 (net) | U.K.A.E.A. |
| Drive characteristics of pulse motors for machine tools. | £15,000 | University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology. |
| Requirements in electro-technology | £39,000 | U.K.A.E.A. |
| Manufacture of dies and moulds | £17,000 | Battelle Institute Ltd. |
| Ergonomic study of the basic controls and operation of powered industrial trucks. | £14,725 | Birmingham University. |
| Cost of engineering maintenance and the scope for savings. | £30,000 | P.A. Management Consultants Ltd. |
| Design study and market survey of applications of super-conducting motors and generators. | £15,000 | International Research and Development Co. Ltd. |
| Market survey of power semi-conductor applications. | £15,000 | International Research and Development Co. Ltd. |
| Ultra High Voltage test facility in the U.K. | £1,000 | Electrical Research Association. |
| Survey of Electroheat Industry in the United Kingdom. | £25,000 | Electrical Research Association - Sussex University. |
| Mathematical model for simulation studies of shipyard operations. | £29,500 | British Ship Research Association-Business Operations Research Ltd. |
| Need for, and scope of, engineering capability exchanges. | £2,250 | Associated Industrial Consultants Ltd. |
§ Mr. OsbornThis reference is to the machine tool industry. I welcome the appointment of independent outside agents to do this, but where does the Machine Tool Industry Research Association come into this? Has the industry been consulted by the hon. Gentleman's Ministry in making the decision to do the survey of the machine tool industry?
§ Dr. BrayNo, the survey is on the manufacture of dies and moulds by the Battelle Institute, Ltd. In this matter, it is particularly valuable to tap European experience. This is an organisation of which we and many others in this country have had a good experience, and it is a wholly appropriate choice on which consultations have been carried out with a number of interested industrial users.
§ Following is the information:
415| Study | Cost | Organisation |
| Interfirm comparison for hand tool manufacturers. | £500 | Centre for Interfirm Comparison Ltd. |
| Engineers' files, saw files and rasps industry in the United Kingdom. | No fee | Committee set up in agreement with File Trade Association. |
| Study of aircraft noise data | £6,000 | British Aircraft Corporation Ltd. |
| Study of European V.T.O.L. sites | £30,000 | Brian Colquhoun & Partners. |