§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the cost to the consumer of one ton of baler twine in each month of April since 1970 to the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. MeacherThe prices recommended by the major British manufacturer were equivalent to the following prices perton:—
requirements committees, or their equivalent, there are in his Department; what subjects they are concerned with; how many senior and other officers are involved with such committees; and what 453W amount of money each one is concerned with individually and in aggregate.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Department services seven industrial research requirements boards and anad hoc board, chaired by the Chief Scientist, dealing with those industrial fields not covered by the other boards. The only requirements committee in the Department of Industry is that dealing with the programmes of the laboratory of the Government Chemist. The following table gives the subjects and the 1973–74 budget for these bodies:
1973–74 £million (a) Chemicals and Minerals 3.6 (b) Computers, Systems and Electronics 5.6 (c) Engineering Materials 3.1 (d) Fundamental Standards 1.1 (e) Mechanical Engineering and Machine Tools 5.5 (f) Metrology and Standards 3.3 (g) Ship and Marine Technology 4.4 (h) Chief Scientist's 2.3 Sub-total 28.9 (i) Laboratory of Government Chemist 2.4 Total 31.3 Under the Chief Scientist about 60 staff are involved in servicing the boards, amongst other responsibilities.