§ 27. Mr. Moonmanasked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to set up joint committees with those Eastern European countries with which Great Britain has technical agreements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennProposals along these lines have been discussed with the Soviet authorities and are under consideration.
§ Mr. MoonmanWould my right hon. Friend not agree that the technical agreements can be a serious commitment to scientific and technical collaboration or they can be nothing, and if we do not follow the French Government in preparing the manned committees, involving industry and Government, we shall not gain the benefits about which he is talking? Would he agree that other countries than Russia are involved here?
§ Mr. BennI understand what my hon. Friend says, but I do not believe that a big machine is always necessary to get the results out of the agreements. As I have told my hon. Friend and the House, we are considering these proposals.