§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the current level of research and development undertaken by all sectors of the British chemical industry.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe most recent statistics on scientific research and development (R & D) expenditure in British industry come from my Department's survey for 1975. A survey for 1978 is being conducted this year.
155WThe 1975 survey showed that the total spend on industrial R & D in 1975 was £1,352 million, an increase of 121 per cent. on 1967—£611 million. Within this total, expenditure by the chemicals, petroleum and allied industries increased by 185 per cent. from £88 million in 1967 to £251 million in 1975. The growth for this group of industries was faster than for any other group.
It is, of course, encouraging that the chemicals, petroleum and allied products industries have maintained their level of R & D activity relatively better than other areas of industry. Nevertheless, the Government wish to encourage increased levels of R & D in industry; public funds are available through my Department's chemicals and minerals requirements board which also covers associated process plant manufacture.