§ Mr. J. Osbornasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science to what extent national expenditure on scientific research and development has risen in the last three years; and whether he is satisfied with this rate of growth.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethAs shown in the Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy for 1959–60, national expenditure on research and development rose from £300 million, or 1.7 per cent. of gross national product, in 1955–56, to £478 million, or 2.3 per cent. of gross national product, in 1958–59. In the same period expenditure on civil research and development considered alone rose from £122 million to £243 million. Broadly speaking I consider this rate of growth highly satisfactory.