asked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a scientific and technical sub-committee of the joint planning staff, as an integral part of the proposed planning machinery, to carry out research on lines similar to those adopted by the joint technical warfare committee and to advise His Majesty's Government as to the methods by which the results of modern technical development can be applied with a view to raising the productivity and efficiency of industry to the highest possible level.

I agree that scientific and technical research is of the highest importance to productivity and industrial efficiency, but there are existing agencies for studying these matters, and I doubt the advisability of setting up such a sub-committee as the hon. Member suggests.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the results of modern technical research are at present available to those industries which are rich and powerful enough to have research stations of their own? Does he not think it is absolutely essential that the whole of industry should be made acquainted with the results of modern technical research?

We have a Scientific Advisory Council, under the chairmanship of Sir Henry Tizard, and there is the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. It has been the active policy of that Department to get all kinds of organisations set up within the industry, and I do not see how the hon. Member's proposal would really cure the position for firms which are indifferent to the opportunities which already exist.

Will the Prime Minister consider linking, as far as possible, the representatives of the Scientific Advisory Council and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research with the proposed Joint Production Staff?

Certainly. Obviously, full use will be made of the existing organisation. I do not think that it is desirable to set up a new organisation.