HC Deb 30 November 1965 vol 721 cc155-6W
37. Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Minister of Technology if he will use the resources under his control for the production of types of machine tools which at present can only be obtained from abroad.

Mr. Cousins

No. The resources under my control are for research and development. Whilst it would not be economic for this country to try to be entirely self-sufficient, I look to the industry, wherever desirable, to develop and produce replacements for machines that now have to be imported. If, despite the support which my Department is prepared to give, British manufacturers fail to meet the needs of the country then I shall consider asking Parliament to grant me the necessary powers to undertake manufacture.

38. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Technology if he will take steps to use the staff and work of Doun

MACHINE TOOL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS NOW BEING SPONSORED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY THE MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY
Item Project/Contract Estimated number of people involved full or part time Estimated cost in Financial Year 1964–65
£
1. Large multi-purpose machine tool 12 73,000
2. Petro-forge project 23 20,000
3. Automatic control and error correcting systems 8 41,000
4. Bearing and slideway systems for machine tools 4 24,000
5. Hydrostatic drives for machine tools 4 7,000
6. Programming for numerically controlled machine tools 16 40,000
7. Application of optical methods 4 32,000
8. High pressure metal forming 7 41,000
9. Cold forming of steel 9 58,000
10. Equipment for the automatic inspection of workpieces during manufacture on machine tools 1 5,500
11. Machine for ruling diffraction gratings 4 25,000
12. Generation of involute tooth profile 3 1,200
13. Surface grinders with air bearings 4 500
14. Design study for hydrostatic extrusion machine 4 7,000
15. 2½ axes numerical control programme 5 2,600
16. Numerically controlled lathe (see Note 1) (see Note 1)

Note 1.—The numerically controlled lathe (No. 16) is a joint venture between the N.R.D.C. and B.S.A. Tools Ltd. the details are confidential to the Corporation and the Company.

Note 2.—The Ministry is also giving financial support to the Machine Tool Industry Research Association and the Production Engineering Research Association.

reay Experimental Station in such a way as to encourage the formation in the city or county of Aberdeen of a factory for the manufacture of modern fine tools such as automation machines.

Mr. Marsh

No. The use of a specialised atomic energy research establishment would not be the best way of promoting developments in the machine tool industry either generally or in a particular area.

41. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Technology if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of machine tool development and research projects and contracts that his Department is directly or indirectly sponsoring, the number of people involved, and the likely cost of each project in the current year; and what plans for such research and development exist for the future.

Mr. Marsh

My right hon. Friend is circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT information about 16 existing projects and contracts. A number of other projects are already under consideration, and he hopes that the industry will play its part by producing further imaginative ideas for new machine tools.