The government's former chief scientific advisor Sir David King has told MPs the government must "back to the hilt" British investment in plastic electronics engineering.

He was appearing before the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee as they held a special three hour session last week on the technology.

King said that too often in the past the UK had got past "first base" in new technology but failed to reach "second base".

He told Committee chairman Phil Willis: "Sometimes we have to have the courage of our own convictions where we have a significant world lead."

He said plastic electronics was an area which should be "backed it to the hilt".

Silicon chips redundant

King believes that plastic electronics technology could make silicon chips redundant and warned that with Germany, South Korea and Japan now sniffing around the area urgent government action in terms of cash support and produrement were vital.

The Committee heard that there was a problem with turning world class university research into commercial success and transforming small high-tech companies into £50m plus businesses in the UK.

"I don't think we have seen significant signs of progress in this area," warned King.

He said the City of London, as well as the government, had to learn how to handle the development of new technology. "We have a problem with developing nascent industries that the US, the Far East and Germany do not seem to have," said King.

Other witnesses at the Westminster hearing included Chris Williams Newtork Director of the UK Displays and Lighting Knowledge Transfer Network and Nigel Perry Director of the Printable Electronics Centre for Process Innovation.

Williams said: "With conventional electronics we saw it all go East. We do not want to see that happen with plastic electronics. There is no reason why it should go the Far East with proper government and business support."

Perry said that proper support could see a massive boost for the UK electronics industry and economy.

Race to the top

Stuart Evans, the co-founder of Cambridge University spin-off company Plastic Logic told the committee: "Plastic Electronics exemplifies former Science Minister Lord Sainsbury's theme of being engaged in a race to the top."

He welcomed government support of his company and other smaller firms in the field but warned more needed to be done saying: "We absolutely agree we have to run fast. Plastic electronics is an area in which UK science remains pre-eminent on a global scale. In terms of national competitiveness, it's clear that all the key governments are providing significant support to the local plastic electronics communities - the UK must do likewise if it wishes to sustain its strong early position.

"In other words, we need to run not just fast but faster," said Evans.