§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Works what progress has been made by the Advisory Service for the Building Industry in the eastern region; how many applications for assistance for local builders it received in 1949; and whether the service is being extended to other regions.
§ Mr. StokesThe Cambridge Advisory Service was instituted as an experimental measure to assist in discharging, in the regions, the Ministry's responsibility for 213W encouraging the adoption by the industry of the results of research and development in building. Two technical officers were employed on the service. One of their functions was to deal with inquiries relating to technical or site organisational problems and, during 1949, 72 such inquiries were received from contractors, in addition to those from local authorities, technical colleges and Government Departments. The arrangements were reviewed in 1949, and after consultation with the industry it was decided to establish in all regions in England and Wales and in Scotland a technical information officer. The duty of this officer is to cooperate with the industry and professions in encouraging the adoption of the latest developments in building practice and in making the results of research widely known.