§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry what help he is giving into nuclear magnetic resonance technology; and what action he is taking to ensure British companies exploit this research commercially worldwide.
Mr. Alan WilliamsResearch into nuclear magnetic resonance technology is being supported at several universities in the United Kingdom from public funds and support is being given, through various Government agencies, to industrial companies which are exploiting the technology.
The technology is being exploited commercially to make instruments for analysing the structure of complex chemicals, and it shows promise as a method of clinical diagnosis since, using it, it is possible to obtain images of the internal organs of the human body. None of the research is being supported from Department of Industry funds, but the Department is closely in touch with the situation and aid is available for projects which have commercial promise.