[6] This document was produced to influence the legislative agenda of the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government in Westminster and to feed into the development of political party manifestos in the run-up to the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election.
At that time, Scotland was experiencing the worst effects of the depression, and the then-called Scottish National Development Council was created to analyse the courses of the collapse which had occurred and to find and apply solutions.
This was a boost to the morale of the council and to its financial situation, as in December 1931, Lithgow donated £1,800 to the funds to meet the salary of the Secretary (W C Kirkwood) for three years.
It was also at this time that the Scottish Development Council undertook to rent its first office in the premises of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, 39 Elmbank Street, Glasgow.
The Council paid close attention to the future of Prestwick Airport, the Highlands and Islands, the Forth Road Bridge project and to the desire for the retention and if possible the expansion of the Admiralty Establishments in Scotland.
In 1945 the Council on Industry felt that it still had much to do in the post-war period and therefore wanted to expand its organisation, raising the funds for this from the Scottish public, particularly from the local authorities.
The then Secretary of State, Joseph Westwood, agreed with this and also endorsed that the reconstituted Scottish Council would be much enhanced if it could derive its revenue entirely from voluntary sources, thereby retaining freedom of action and effectiveness.
In particular the council has participated in matters of policy and practice relating to technology, trade development, communications and the environment within which industry operates.
In the course of the first year, panels and committees of the Council investigated many industries, including light and medium engineering, chemicals, building materials and plastics.
Ferranti agreed to `mother’ the group and accept defence contracts which would be undertaken by Scottish companies interested in diversifying into electronics and light engineering.
The Ministry of Supply agreed to channel some contracts on this basis, and to build a new laboratory for Ferranti Ltd as the centre of the scheme – a lab was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1953.
The London office and Committee were dissolved at the beginning of the Second World War but restarted life with a donation of £500 from the Scottish Tourist Board in 1948.
The London Committee continues to play a role in Prosper's work, providing regular interface and debate with London-based members, national bodies and the Westminster Parliament.
Since 1987, SCDI (now Prosper) has focused on the development of Young Engineers & Science Clubs throughout Scotland, hosted by schools and further education colleges.
The aim of the Clubs is to involve young people in science, technology, engineering and maths, by encouraging them to use their creative and innovative skills supported by appropriate local companies.
Clubs adopt a hands-on approach to projects in science; electrical, electronic, mechanical, robotics and civil engineering; and a wide range of technology applications.
Over 1,400 Young Engineers & Science Clubs now operate across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland with a membership of circa 30,000 Primary and Secondary school pupils.
More than 500 school pupils demonstrate their project work throughout the year and participate in a series of hands-on Technology Challenges, competing to win the Best Young Engineers Club trophy.