§ Mr. William Hamlingasked the Prime Minister what proposals he has for the establishment of new industries by public enterprise, or in partnership with private industry, to produce new scientific discoveries.
§ The Prime MinisterAs my hon. Friend knows the National Research Development Corporation is already explicitly charged with securing the development and exploitation of scientific discoveries and the Government strengthened the powers and resources of the Corporation in the Development of Inventions Act, 1965. I can, however, also assure my hon. Friend that, as and when any technological innovation of importance to the economy emerged which appeared to require different treatment than that which can be afforded under existing legislation, the Government would be very ready to adopt a realistic and imaginative approach to its development and exploitation, on the basis of private enterprise, public enterprise, or a joint project as the circumstances require.