HC Deb 15 May 1969 vol 783 cc1640-1
Q5. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to improve the co-ordination among Ministers responsible for public research establishments.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friends already work closely together on this matter.

Mr. Osborn

In order to ensure that research is relevant, what consideration have Ministers given to the concept of a single management board for research establishments on which industrialists are represented? Has the Prime Minister considered publishing a White Paper or a Green Paper?

The Prime Minister

Unfortunately, because of the cheer which greeted the arrival of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, I missed one or two words which were central to the hon. Member's question.

Mr. Osborn

Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that research is relevant and ensure that research establishments are under a single management board or authority on which industrialists are represented, and will he publish a Green Paper or a White Paper?

The Prime Minister

Research establishments are regulated by independent bodies such as the Science Research Council, and these are co-ordinated by a single body which includes industrialists and others to ensure not only that the money is well spent, but that there is a right priority between one kind of scientific research and another. The hon. Gentleman will have seen a report produced by this body and published not long ago. If he has any other points in mind—and I know his interest in the production of synthetic foodstuffs, a subject which he has raised before—perhaps he will let me know and I can go into them specifically.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Will the Prime Minister ask the responsible Ministers to make large reductions in the £236 million which is spent on military research so that the £3,500,000 charges on teeth and spectacles may be abandoned?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend will be aware of the substantial reductions made in defence expenditure generally and in defence R. and D. expenditure and of the fact that, partly in consequence of this, but only partly, there has been the biggest increase in expenditure on the social services, particularly the Health Service and hospital building, that we have seen for many years.