Beattie hopes Govt will heed suggestions

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 38

Beattie hopes Govt will heed suggestions

PA Wellington A year after the release of the Beattie report on science and technology, Sir David Beattie hopes the Government will adopt some of the report’s main recommendations.

The report, which was produced by a Ministerial working party on science and technology chaired by Sir David, was applauded by scientists, academics and the commercial sector when released in December, 1986. But the only major recommendation to be taken up so far by the Government has been the establishment of a Science and Technology Advisory Committee (S.T.A.C.), announced in August.

Recommendations which have not been implemented are: • A 150 per cent tax rebate for research and development. • Work by the Govern-

ment towards doubling public and private sector expenditure on research and development by 199394. • The establishment of a science and technology research council. • Longer secondary schooling. • Extended availability of post-secondary education. ® A halt on the reduction of net funding levels for Government science agencies below 1986-87 levels pending further investigation. The committee has been asked to look at some of the Beattie report’s recommendations, including the establishment of research councils to fund project grants, mechanisms to promote research and development in industry, and the need for improved education and training in science and technology.

The committee’s advice might still bring home to the Government the importance of investing in science and technology, Sir David said.

“I believe at some stage in the running of this country, and I believe it occurs from time to time, a Government has got to say we’re going to do this in spite of Treasury advice, because that is what a Government is elected for,” he said.

Strong Government support for science and technology was not incompatible with tight fiscal policy, he said. The setting up of S.T.A.C. was the most important recommendation for the Government to take up, Sir David said. “I believe a great deal will flow from the work of this committee and I’m much more heartened than I was six months ago.”