§ 54. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken in the last few months to establish advisory services for the machine tool industry.
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§ Mr. MarshMy right hon. Friend has now set up the Machine Tool Unit to which he referred in his statement on 14th June. He intends to develop this as rapidly as the staff can be built up to provide a technical advisory service to public and private purchasers of machine tools. He has also recently agreed to increase the financial support available from his Department to the Machine Tool Industry Research Association to help this body to improve still further its services to the industry.
§ 58. Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Technology what action he is taking to help British manufacturers to replace imports of machine tools and of machine tool equipment.
§ Mr. MarshThe Machine Tool Trades' Association are making a detailed examination of imports of machine tools, in order to try to identify those types which might be manufactured here, as the Economic Development Committee for the industry has recommended. The Ministry of Technology is considering urgently whether it is possible to present to the Industry information about imports in a way which would help them to achieve their object. The measures outlined in my right hon. Friend's statement in the House on 14th June, 1965 should also help the industry to compete more effectively with imports.
§ 59. Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking through the National Research Development Corporation to inaugurate projects in machine tool design in Scotland.
§ Mr. MarshI understand that the Corporation have under consideration one machine tool development project which would be undertaken in Scotland and are expecting a further proposal from another firm in Scotland. My right hon. Friend has asked the Corporation to bear the importance of regional problems especially in mind.