§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the work of the innovation unit of his Department.
§ Mr. LeighThe hon. Gentleman will be aware of the background to the DTI's innovation unit as summarised in press notice P/91/544. Since its establishment in October 1991, the innovation unit has expanded, with the secondment of five top business men who are using their hands-on experience of innovation in industry to deal directly with firms, higher education institutes, schools and the media.
Since its establishment, the unit has initiated or supported many activities such as the publication of the first United Kingdom research and development scoreboard and the "Innovation Plans Handbook", both aimed at improving communication between industry and investors. It is supporting the fellowship of engineering's MacRobert award and visiting professorship scheme and, in conjunction with the Fellowship of Engineering and the Royal Society, organised the first United Kingdom innovation lecture, delivered last month by Mr. Akio Morita, chairman of the Sony Corporation.