Records of the Productivity Services and Information Division and successors

The Division was responsible for the provision of technical information which would ensure that the UK industry and government was kept informed of technological developments. The policy was intended to assist industry in becoming more successful in the commercial exploitation of the research and development effort. It was also concerned with technological cooperation with the international community as well as the EEC and EFTA.

The Division organised publicity generally including exhibitions, advertising campaigns, translations, films and the library and managed the reports centre.

Registered files of the Productivity Services and Information Division and its successors are in HF 20.

• Department of Industry, Research and Development Contractors Division, 1974-1977
• Department of Industry, Research and Technology Requirements and Space Division, 1977-1982
• Department of Trade and Industry, Research Administration Division, 1970-1971
• Department of Trade and Industry, Research and Development Contractors Division, 1972-1974
• Department of Trade and Industry, Research Division, 1971-1972
• Ministry of Technology, External and Information Division, 1969-1970
• Ministry of Technology, Productivity Services and Information Division, 1968-1969

Topics

Trade and commerce

Europe and Russia

Research

The Productivity Services and Information Division was formed in 1968 from the Information and Regional Organisation Division. There were three branches:- Technical Information Library and Publications (PSI.2) and Regional Information and Productivity Services (PSI.3). There was also a Technical Information Library Reports Centre.

In 1969 there was further reorganisation and the Division was re-named and took on additional responsibilities. These included international and European technological cooperation and publicity generally such as news, broadcasting and films and translations and the library.

The following year the Division became involved in the administration and finance of the Industrial Research Establishment as well as relations with universities. At this point it was called the Research Administration Division.

Another change took place in 1971 when the Division (now called the Research Division) began the evaluation of research programmes and the consideration of the civil application of marine defence research and development.

Scientific counsellors were first appointed in 1972. They were attached to embassies and advised industry and government officials on technological aspects of projects.

The functions of the Division remained the same when another name change took place in 1972 - to the Research and Development Contractors Division.

Space and air research were added to the remit of the Division in 1977 which was by then called the Research and Technology Requirements and Space Division.