HC Deb 31 January 1968 vol 757 cc359-60W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Technology if he will name the firms to whom technical information about microcircuitry, gained in the course of research at defence research establishments, has been given for the advancement of their civil and commercial work.

Mr. Benn

This dissemination is so widespread, that it is not practicable to give a list of firms receiving information.

Firms may obtain in several ways technical information on microcircuitry. To illustrate without giving a list of all the methods, the following demonstrate the main dissemination channels:

  1. (i) They may acquire information in the course of fulfilling Government research and development contracts.
  2. (ii) Unclassified technical reports are freely available to Industry. Reports are also published in the technical journals.
  3. (iii) In certain important areas of work (such as semi-conductor devices in the micro- 360 circuitry field) the results of defence research and development contracts let with one firm are distributed to firms in related or similar fields.