§ Mr. Mikardoasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps have been taken to put into effect the suggestions in paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1947–48, Command Paper No. 7761, that research associations might undertake studies of consumer need research, costing systems, and other subjects bordering on the economic sphere.
§ Mr. BevinsIn recent years research associations have given considerably increased attention to subjects bordering on the economic sphere. Their main effort in this sphere has been in two directions. The first is the economic assessment of improvements in industrial processes arising from the application of research. This type of assessment, based on first-hand study of industrial conditions, is now conducted by most research associations, particularly in the field of320W fuel economy and the saving of expensive raw materials. The second is studies in the field of production economics being carried out in eight Research Associations.