§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Industry it he will make a statement on the progress of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development, its current objectives and its contribution so far to applied research in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development was set up in November 1976 under the chairmanship of the Lord Privy Seal and with the following terms of reference
To advise Ministers and to publish reports as necessary on—
- (i) applied reseach and development in the United Kingdom and its deployment in both the public and private sectors in accordance with national needs;
- (ii) the articulation of this research and development with scientific research supported by the Department of Education and Science;
- (iii) the future development and application of technology;
- (iv) the role of the United Kingdom in international collaboration in the field of applied research and development."
The council has met four times. At an early stage it turned its attention to defining a small number of important 454W topics for detailed study and has now established small working parties to study the applications of solid state technology; industrial innovation; and the effects of technological change on employment. The council hopes to receive reports from the working parties by the summer and to submit its first report to the Government in the autumn.