§ Mr. Markhamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any estimate can be given of the revenue which has accrued to the Exchequer as a direct result of scientific research carried out by any Government Department?
§ Sir J. SimonThe scientific researches carried out by Government Departments are not intended to produce a direct profit to the Exchequer, and charges for research undertaken on a repayment basis, or for the manufactured products of research, are fixed with a view to recovering only the actual cost incurred. On the other hand, the indirect gain to the Exchequer accruing from the increased taxable capacity of those industries which have turned to advantage scientific researches carried out by Government Departments into problems affecting industries as a whole must be considerable, but is impossible to estimate.