HC Deb 13 July 1983 vol 45 c363W
Mr. Batiste

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to seek the establishment of a national database available to the public of research and development capabilities within British universities and polytechnics.

Mr. Butcher

Much of the information is already available in "Research in British Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges" produced by the British Library. The conversion of this to a comprehensive on-line database is not thought to be cost-effective at the present time. The Department will, however, continue to consider the case for creating selective data bases.