asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the Industrial Research Committee has prepared, in respect of the financial year 1948-9, the draft report contemplated in Section 38 (1) of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1946; and, if so, when it is expected that a meeting of the council of the institute will be held to consider the draft report; and, further, if he will state whether either committee of the institute has to date published, with his approval, any scientific or technical information of the kind contemplated in Section 39 (2); and, if so, if he will give particulars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Research Committee.
The draft report of the work of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards in the financial year 1948-49 and a general programme for future work has been prepared by the Industrial Research Committee. A meeting of the council of the institute to consider the draft report will be held on Tuesday, the 31st May, 1949.
Neither the Industrial Research Committee nor the Standards Committee has to date published, with my approval, any scientific or technical information of the kind contemplated in Section 39 (2) of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1946.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of specifications for commodities, processes and practices which had been prepared by the Institute of Industrial Research and Standards under Section 20 (1) of the Industrial Research and Standards Acts, 1946, and the number and particulars of the Orders made by the Minister declaring such specifications to be standard specifications.
Specifications for 28 commodities, processes and practices have been prepared by advisory sub-committees of the Standards Committee of the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. Of these 18 specifications have been adopted by the Standards Committee and recommended for declaration as standard specifications for the particular commodities, processes or practices to which they are related.
I have approved and will, as soon as possible, by Order declare as standard specifications the specifications recommended to me for the following commodities:—
1. Asbestos cement slates and sheets.
2. Galvanised cisterns and cylinders for domestic water supply.
3. Varnish.
4. White spirit.
5. Turpentine.
6. School paper stationery.
7. Linseed oil for paints.
8. Liquid driers for paints.
9. Knotting.
10. Gold size.
The specifications for Portland cement, concrete plain roofing tiles and fittings and concrete interlocking roofing tiles approved by my predecessor in office will at the same time be promulgated by Order as standard specifications for these commodities. The delay was due to difficulties in translation, and it has now been decided to promulgate the Orders in English in the first instance.
I have under consideration at the moment specifications recommended to me for the following commodities:—
1. Hydrated lime for building purposes.
2. Concrete cylindrical pipes.
3. Ready mixed oil paints.
4. Extenders for paints.
5. Coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will (i) state the amounts paid to date to the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards towards defraying the capital cost of land, buildings and equipment; (ii) indicate the present position of the institute in respect of buildings and equipment, and (iii) further, state the numbers and grades of members of the staff of the institute.
(i) The amounts of grants paid to date to the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards under the provision made in Section 30 (2) of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1946, towards defraying the capital cost of land, buildings and equipment for the institute are:—
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
(a)Purchase of land and purchase and adaptation of buildings |
7,545 |
7 |
2 |
|
(b)Provision of new buildings |
7,525 |
11 |
10 |
|
(c)Purchase of laboratory equipment, office equipment and library acquisitions |
1,334 |
8 |
2 |
(ii) The premises and grounds of Glasnevin House, Ballymun Road, have been purchased and adapted as a headquarters premises for the institute.
A new laboratory is in course of erection on the grounds of Glasnevin House and I expect it to be completed during the present year. The equipping of this laboratory is not provided for in the foregoing grants and will cost an additional £6,000.
(iii) The numbers and grades of members of the staff of the institute are as follows:—
One senior research chemist, one technical officer, one secretary-accountant, one librarian, one secretary of standards committee (part-time), one algologist, one junior chemist, two junior physicists, one junior clerk, three shorthand typists, two typists, one junior laboratory assistant, two female cleaners (one part-time), one caretaker and labourer, one labourer.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards have provided any scholarships or other awards for the training of persons in industrial research, or rendered any assistance, financial or otherwise, to persons undertaking research; and, if so, to give particulars.
The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards, with the approval of the Minister, provided the following scholarships or other awards for the training of persons in industrial research under Section 33 (1) of the Industrial Research and Standards Act, 1946.
Financial Year 1946/47.—Nine grants amounting in all to £747 to enable selected students to carry out a year's research work on a subject useful for training in industrial research.
Financial Year 1947/48.—One scholarship valued at £350 per year and tenable for two years for training in industrial research.
No scholarship was awarded in the financial year 1948/49.
The institute has not rendered any assistance, financial or otherwise, to persons undertaking research.