§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what research work in the foundry industry is being funded by the Government; and if he will reconsider the policy of supporting work at more than one research association in this industry in view of the decline in the number of firms and the industry's output.
§ Mr. ButcherSupport for R & D in the non-ferrous sector in 1982–83 is expected to be about £1.1 million. This is mainly relevant to aluminium, copper or zinc, and is carried out by the BNF metals technology centre or BCIRA (formerly the British Cast Iron Research Association) either as direct contractor to the Department or as subcontractor to a trade association. Support for research and development for the ferrous foundry industry is expected to be about £1.7 million in 1982–83. About 56 per cent. of this is carried out by BCIRA and about 34 per cent. by the Steel Castings Research and Trade Association (SCRATA). The overall objective of these measures is to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of United Kingdom foundries. In meeting this objective, it is Department of Industry policy to support work seen to be of relevance to industrial needs wherever it can be best carried out, whilst making optimum use of existing facilities and expertise.