§ 29. Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he is satisfied that the British computer industry has sufficient orders to maintain competitive 465 efficiency; and whether he will consider the desirability of giving export aids.
§ Mr. HeathI have no evidence to indicate that the competitive efficiency of the industry is likely to be adversely affected by insufficient orders. It would be contrary to general policy to contemplate special export aids.
§ Mr. HaleWill the right hon. Gentleman say who does collect the information on this matter, because one gets different statements from the Minister of Labour, the Minister for Science and whatever the former President of the Board of Trade is now, which I have forgotten? Is not he aware that a process of amalgamation is restricting the industry and that factories are closing down, and that this was a very great adventure in electronic science which deserved support from hon. Members on both sides of the House and everyone who values British industry?
§ Mr. HeathAs I have said, I have heard of one case of redundancy in a factory concerned with these items. If the hon. Gentleman has further information about the closure of factories, which is what he has suggested, I shall be glad to investigate it upon receipt of the information from him.
§ Mr. LubbockWill the right hon. Gentleman explain why so many nationalised corporations are buying computers from overseas, the most recent example being that of B.E.A. which ordered a computer from Rand to operate its seat reservations?
§ Mr. HeathThese firms and nationalised industries must make their own judgment about equipment. The reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 19th November to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale) showed that the great majority of computers in this country are British and that the great majority of those used by Government Departments are British.