Computers
Challenging the DTI
Ivor Catt
The NRDC (National Research Development Corporation) was first asked to support the CAM invention eighteen months ago. Since then, though persistently claiming a strong desire to support it, they have continually prevaricated. No progress whatsoever has been made in the exploitation of the invention.
The NRDC, like the BBC, is an independent corporation, but under the wing of the Department of Trade and Industry. Nine months ago ACTP (Advanced Computer Technology Project), which is within the DTI itself, was asked for support. Like the NRDC, ACTP also expressed a strong desire to support the CAM invention, but again only prevarication has followed. We now have the absurd situation that all computer-oriented scientists in two separate branches of the DTI are very anxious to support the CAM invention, they believe the cost is trivial (f40,000) and the potential reward enormous, but they make no progress, being hopelessly tangled up in complicated rules and regulations.
The inventor [Ivor Catt] hereby respectfully requests that the Secretary of State for Trade and industry resolve the situation, by saying either that I) The CAM invention is after all no good and should not be supported by further government money, or 2) The CAM invention will be supported by the DTI, the specific terms of support being stated at that time.
The Spectator will publish the
response of the Secretary of State. Alternatively, in three months' time it will publish to the effect that he is indifferent to problems
i arising n the _ Government's handling of invention and new industry, which both Mr Walker and Mr Heath have said are vital for the future of this country.
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