§ 47. Mr. Dalyellasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what study he has made of the speech by Professor A. B. Pippard, F.R.S., about the special needs of the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Lothian; and if he will make available additional help, financial and otherwise, for the development of research in experimental physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, in view of its importance to the entire scientific effort of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethMy noble Friend and I have read with interest the speech by Professor Pippard to which the hon. Member refers. Government support for universities is chiefly channelled through the University Grants Committee. I am informed that the university intends to redevelop the New Museums site, on which the laboratory is situated, but that it has not yet put forward firm proposals. In order to assist research at the Cavendish Laboratory, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has made grants totalling £918,000 since 1956, and remains willing to consider suitable applications for further grants in the future.