§ 2. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Industry what funds he has directed to developing new materials for industry; and what development and trials he is now sponsoring in the field of betasialons, materials based on silicon, aluminium, oxygen and nitrogen.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe Department provides substantial support for R and D on industrial materials, their processing and application, including a small proportion specifically on new materials. The Department's spending on materials and materials processing R and D in 1980–81 was around £12 million.
Several years ago the Department provided significant support for the early stages of industrial development of sialons leading towards their commercialisation. No development or trials of sialons are currently being supported by the Department.