HC Deb 24 January 1967 vol 739 cc217-8W
Mr. Hugh D. Brown

asked the Minister of Technology, in view of his responsibilities for the electronics industry, what relationship he has with the National Electronics Research Council.

Mr. Benn

The National Electronics Research Council, an independent nongovernmental organisation, was set up in July, 1964, under the chairmanship of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in the belief that there was an urgent need to coordinate pure and applied research in electronics, and with the intention that it should indicate gaps in research, suggest priorities and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort.

Since then, however, the Government has made new central arrangements for dealing with questions of science and technology. In particular the Ministry of Technology has become the sponsoring Department for the electronics industry. With the imminent transfer to it of the present functions of the Ministry of Aviation its research stations with an interest in electronics will be further augmented by the inclusion of the Royal Radar Establishment and the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Responsibility for civil scientific policy and questions relating to basic scientific research lies with the Department of Education and Science and the Science Research Council.

These developments have profoundly affected the rôle of the National Electronics Research Council. In future its research rôle will be continued under different arrangements. The Government has therefore proposed, with Lord Mountbatten's agreement, that the Council should accept a new and wider function under the aegis of the Ministry of Technology.

The change would be reflected by an alteration in the title to the National Electronics Council (NEC). The new Council would, in place of a more limited interest in research, assume responsibility that would embrace the impact of major developments in electronics on society. It will consider and advise the Government on the application of electronics to the national life. If it sees the need to promote research or encourage other specific action it will take the appropriate initiative either directly with the Ministry of Technology or through the various existing bodies operating in the electronics field; The new Council will continue to develop the valuable contacts which its predecessor had established with Commonwealth countries.

There will be an appropriate widening of the membership of the governing body of the Council to reflect its new rôle. Also, as from the date at which this new arrangement takes effect, the Secretariat will be provided by the Ministry of Technology.

I believe that the new Council has a very important job to do and am looking forward greatly to working with it.