§ 14. Mr. Benceasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what steps he is taking to increase the financial assistance for research and development projects in Scottish universities and research establishments.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethMy noble Friend discussed this whole matter last year with the Research Councils and with the Atomic Energy Authority. Financial support from these sources for research and development in Scotland has increased in recent years, and is now on a considerable scale. The allocation of funds to particular projects, and in particular the siting of scientific establishments must, however, primarily be determined on scientific grounds.
§ 15. Mr. Benceasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how many inventions, derived from publicly-supported research developed in Scotland, are being commercially exploited.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethWithin the field of research, for which my noble Friend, the Minister for Science, is responsible, some 50 patents from the National Engineering Laboratory at East Kilbride, 7 from the Torry Research Station at Aberdeen, and 14 from Atomic Energy Authority's establishments in Scotland, are being exploited commercially. No information is available about the commercial exploitation of inventions which are not patentable, or of which patents have lapsed or have expired.