HC Deb 11 March 1968 vol 760 cc219-20W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research and development work is done by the Home Office Telecommunications Branch; and how many qualified scientists and engineers are employed.

Mr. Taverne

Until recently the development work of the Telecommunications Directorate has been confined to evaluat

and the date the order was laid before Parliament.

Mr. Callaghan

The official Consumer Price Index commences with the year 1938. The following table shows the increase in consumer price levels between the date each revelant fee was fixed and 1967—the latest year for which details are available.

ing and modifying commercially produced equipment. Subject to the need for economy in manpower my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to increase the scope of the Directorate's research and development activity and make further use of the resources of the Government's research and development establishments. There are no scientists on the staff of the Directorate at present, but my Chief Scientific Adviser and his staff are available. There are four qualified engineers.