§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will publish the reply sent by his Department in 1967 to the Electronic Engineering Association on selectivity of companies in the matter of Government contracts.
§ Mr. BennAn inquiry into the relationship between the Ministry of Aviation and the electronics industry was conducted in 1965 at the request of the Department by Mr. W. J. Richards, a former Director of the Royal Radar Establishment. One of the conclusions of his report was that whereas a multiplicity of project studies demonstrably ensures a large measure of competition, it involves waste of scarce scientific skills and added delays, and these disadvantages are considered to outweigh the advantages.
In discussion between the Ministry of Aviation and the Electronics Engineering Association in May, 1966, both sides accepted the spirit of this conclusion for electronic development work.