HL Deb 21 June 1966 vol 275 cc237-8

2.37 p.m.

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would publish a regular bulletin, covering the activities of all Government-sponsored research, similar to the United States Government's fortnightly Research and Development Reports or the equivalent French monthly publication.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (LORD BESWICK)

My Lords, a National Reports Centre has been set up at the National Lending Library for Science and Technology as a British counterpart to the U.S. Clearinghouse which produces a fortnightly list entitled United States Government Research Reports. The British Centre publishes a monthly bulletin entitled British Research and Development Reports in which accessions to the stock of reports are announced.

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for that reply. I hope that it will be possible to give these reports the widest possible circulation, not only within this country but also overseas. Can the noble Lord assure us of that?

LORD BESWICK

Yes, my Lords. However, the service started only this year, but I quite agree with the noble Earl that there is no value in having the document available unless it is widely distributed. I should add that an organisation can be put on the mailing list if it applies to the Lending Library, and I hope that this Question and Answer may call attention to the facilities that are available.

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, would the noble Lord allow noble Lords on this side of the House to have copies of the reports?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I see no reason why that should not be done, but I will look into it.