§ 80. Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the Royal Armaments Research and Development Establishment on the plasma arc cutting process; and what steps are being taken by the Establishment to patent any devices which it has developed.
§ Mr. Mason:The principles of plasma arc techniques have been known throughout the world for many years and work on industrial applications was well advanced in the United States before the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment started their own programme. The basic patents for these processes were taken out in 1955 by the Union Carbide Corporation in America, and, although R.A.R.D.E. have taken out four secondary patents between 1958 and 1960 for various improvements, these have so far led to no widespread industrial applications because of the basic patents held by the American firm. However, the Patents Directorate of the Ministry of Technology are exploring means of making the small portable equipment, developed and recently exhibited by R.A.R.D.E., available to industry. Including overheads, about £75,000 has been spent on plasma arc development by the Establishment.