HL Deb 05 December 1989 vol 513 cc736-8

2.49 p.m.

Lord Dormand of Easington asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they intend to conduct their next survey of the research and development carried out by British industry.

The Paymaster General (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, the next survey of scientific research and development performed by UK industry relates to 1989 and will be carried out during 1990.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, will the Minister confirm that that is the normal full survey which is carried out every four years by the Government? If so, will the Government consider publishing a full, separate report on the findings? What action are the Government proposing to take on government-funded R&D and that undertaken by private industry in view of two factors? The first is that the amount of R&D has been falling steadily for a number of years now. The second is that we are so behind in research and development in comparison with our overseas competitors.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I can confirm to the House that it will be a fully detailed survey. It will be a benchmark survey covering all enterprises with 200 or more employees. That is one which is carried out every four years. I am not sure where the noble Lord has obtained the figures for the assertion that he has made. But on total expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP, we are in the middle of a group consisting of France, West Germany, Italy, Japan and USA.

Lord Shackleton

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that there are grave doubts about the reliability of the total R&D national figure in particular in relation to the Ministry of Defence? The Select Committee on Science and Technology will shortly be producing a report on R&D and we need to know these figures.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I was not aware of the point that the noble Lord has made. However, I hope that from information provided by the Committee, and that which I shall be able to give him once I return to my office, the noble Lord will have all the data that he needs.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, in view of the number of smaller firms employing less than 200 people that have come into existence over the past four years, does the Minister consider that it might be better for the survey to include firms with about 100 rather than 200 employees?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, that would entail a considerably bigger survey. As I am sure the noble Lord appreciates, about 80 per cent. of research in industry is done by about the top 50 companies. A great deal of research is undertaken by the bigger companies, therefore.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the Government's survey include investigation into the circumstances which prompted the Minister responsible for industry to advise British companies on 5th November last that, in view of the expense incurred in developing inventions in the United Kingdom, British companies would be well advised to seek the development of inventions elsewhere?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am not aware of the exact words that the noble Lord was paraphrasing. I should like to look at those before I made any further comment.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, perhaps I may assist the noble Earl by referring him to the Daily Telegraph of 6th November last.

The Earl of Caithness

I would rather look at the exact words.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, I understand that the Minister wishes to look at the exact figures. Since he asked me a question, perhaps I may tell him where I obtained my information. It comes from the Government review of R&D, which also includes a proportion of the research and development undertaken in private industry.

Will the Minister answer my second question? When the findings are published next year, will he make it a separate, full report so that we can see exactly what is happening in British industry?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I have good news for the noble Lord. I know that it is a matter of concern to him. For the first time, the 1990 survey will be asked to provide separate information on R&D performed by industry for civil and defence purposes.