§ 8. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the National Enterprise Board will be permitted to invest in the field of genetic engineering.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Industry (Mr. Michael Marshall)My right hon. Friend will consider any proposals by the board which require his consent. None has yet been put to him.
§ Mr. HooleyDoes the Minister recall that on 19 July last year his right hon. Friend said that it would be sensible to use the NEB to familiarise industry with new technology? Does he agree that biotechnology is one of the most important of the new technologies now developing? Is he aware that unless there is a massive injection of public funds through the NEB this country will miss out on that revolution, as it has on so many in the past?
§ Mr. MarshallI certainly recall the comments of my right hon. Friend on that occasion, and I agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is an important area. I have had the chance to see some of the 954 new technology in the United States. However, problems of this kind are a matter for the NEB.