§ 10. Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Technology what proportion of research sponsored by his Department is carried out in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with other regions of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Fowler:About 0.3 per cent. at present. The percentages in other regions are higher. The details are as set out below. In all cases, the percentage relates to work carried out at the Ministry's expense by agencies other than its own research establishments.
Following are the details:
per cent. Scotland 3.3 Northern 1.9 Yorkshire and Humberside 2.7 North West 10.7 East Midlands 10.3 West Midlands 4.2 Wales and Monmouthshire 0.4 East Anglia 5.3 South East 46.9 South West 14.0
§ 56. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Technology what plans he has made for increasing work sponsored by his Department in Ulster; and whether, in view of the high unemployment in the area, he will expedite such plans.
§ Mr. Benn:The Shipbuilding Industry Board, with my approval, have agreed in principle to give financial assistance for the construction of a new shipbuilding dock in Belfast. Discussions are under way on details.