§ 2.55 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy 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 propose to take any action, and if so what, on the recommendation for research into the extraction of chemicals from wood and sugar beet made by the Elgood Committee, which was appointed by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry).
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, the Government research establishment primarily concerned with the by-products of wood is the Forest Products Research Laboratory. I am informed that the Laboratory keeps in touch with research on the derivation of chemicals from wood but that the 72 economics of this development are not promising at the present time. Research by the International Sugar Research Foundation—an international body supported by the main British sugar producers—is directed to finding non-food uses for sugar such as detergents and polymers for pharmaceutical purposes.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that the United States now enjoys an industry of a value of about 200 million dollars a year on products from wood such as glues, insulating materials and other things, and that therefore the point about it not being economically promising is worthy of further investigation? Further, may I ask the noble Lord whether he would consider that sugar beet is a material which, it is thought, might well produce coatings for wood, metal, glass and other materials? Also would he have his right honourable friend the Minister responsible for the Department of Economic Affairs direct the attention of the import switching section of their economic group to that possibility?
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I have pointed out the international organisation which is responsible for research into the non-food uses of sugar, and I am satisfied that they are doing the best possible job in that direction. It would be a waste of public funds if the Government were merely to attempt to duplicate this work. In regard to what the noble Earl has said about the use of wood in the United States in the production of glues and other materials, I shall certainly be delighted to direct my right honourable friend's attention to his remarks.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that concession, may I ask him whether he would not agree that international research into what might save British imports will not necessarily have regard to British interests; and therefore, whether we are thinking of sugar beet or of wood, this is a matter worthy of serious attention by the Department of Economic Affairs ten years after the Report has been published?
§ LORD HUGHESYes, my Lords; but international research into what can usefully be done can be taken advantage of 73 by ourselves, who after all contribute to the expenses of this organisation. I do not think anyone would suggest for one moment that it is helpful to our economic position that we should embark on what might turn out to be abortive expenditure.