§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) if he will give details of ways in which the infra-red programme of the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern, has been made available to civil industry;
(2) if he will give details of the rôle played by the Radar Research Establish- 10W ment, Malvern, in the formation of the British Infra-red Manufacturers' Organisation; and what plans he has for the future rôle of the Radar Research Establishment in the commercial application of infra-red technology.
§ Mr. FowlerIn April, 1967, the Royal Radar Establishment, with the support and active participation of six major British firms interested in infra-red instrumentation, held an international symposium at Malvern to discuss recent developments in the United Kingdom of infra-red components, techniques and systems. Publicity was subsequently given to infra-red applications and the Establishment received a large number of enquiries from industry. Visits to firms to discuss the potentialities of infrared technology have followed, and the Royal Radar Establishment is now planning to provide working systems of a few of the potential applications as demonstrations to industry of what can be achieved. R.R.E. hopes to be joined in this work by some of the instrument firms.
Independently of R.R.E. the six firms represented on the Committee which organised the symposium subsequently formed themselves into the British Infrared Manufacturers' Organisation.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will give details of ways in which the development of surveillance radar at the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern, has been made available to civil industry.
§ Mr. FowlerThe few firms in the United Kingdom working in the field of ground surveillance radar know the Royal Radar Establishment well, and staff from these firms are frequent visitors to the Establishment. Meetings are arranged with each to keep them informed of the advanced development work in progress, and to discuss their commercial market and plans. One firm has made use of a major R.R.E. facility to carry out experimental work and to give demonstrations for potential overseas customers.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will give details of ways in which the full-time team under Mr. B. W. Oakley have identified civil applications of technology at the Royal Radar 11W Establishment, Malvern, and channelled inquiries and requests for assistance from industry to appropriate departments.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Industrial Applications Unit acts as a bridge between the Royal Radar Establishment and the civil users of electronics equipment and in areas where the Establishment has some technology of potential industrial value, this is brought to the notice of industry. In many instances this is done through direct contact, since the electronics industry (in particular) has been made aware that the Industrial Applications Unit welcomes inquiries and visitors on matters that fall within the Establishment's field of expertise. The Department also makes use of its Regional and Industrial Liaison Organisation to make known what R.R.E. has to offer. Other publicity channels are "New Technology", a publication which is concerned with new developments including those on which work has been done at R.R.E.; and the booklet "Technical and Research Services for Industry", which gives details of the activities, techniques, expertise, facilities and special services available at the Establishment.