§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on his Department's participation in the Prometheus project; and what progress has been made to date.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Prometheus project commenced on 1 October 1986. The first year is being devoted to the definition of a wide range of studies which complement each other. There is close consultation between Departments and the Science and Engineering Research Council. The Department's participation is principally in the traffic system and route choice aspects which are closely linked with the Department's AUTOGUIDE initiative, itself the subject of close consultation with industry and with potential operators and users. The Department is also coordinating the work of research teams in five countries in this field, and is participating in the work of a council which brings together the interests of the participating companies and their five Governments. Good progress is being made in planning future years' research. Consultants and universities are engaged in preliminary studies with Government financial support.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information has been given to him by his departmental representative on the Prometheus project on the participation of industrial sub-contractors in the car manufacturing industry in (a) France, (b) West Germany and (c) the United Kingdom; and what steps he is taking to encourage United Kingdom subcontractors to join.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe participants in the Prometheus project are motor manufacturers based in the736W Eureka member countries. Industrial sub-contractors are not eligible to join in their own right. The participants, who expect assistance from their Governments, will require extensive support from supplying industries and public research institutions in their respective countries. There is no requirement that participants should disclose in detail their links with subcontractors but the motor companies in France (three) and the Federal Republic of Germany (four) are known to be in close touch with their electronics industries, as is the United Kingdom participant. This is Gaydon Technology, acting for Austin Rover, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce. The definition phase of Prometheus commenced in October 1986. Progress has not yet reached the stage at which sub-contracts have been placed. It is a primary objective of the Department and of the Department of Trade and Industry that British firms should seek the maximum technological and commercial benefit from contributing to this and other Eureka projects. The Government will give every encouragement to them to do so.