§ 18. Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Minister of Aviation what information he has 1258 on the relative size of the electronic computing capacity of the British and United States aircraft industries and on the lead in development time for aircraft which is now given by a lead in computing capacity in this field.
§ Mr. StonehouseFigures are not available, and I do not believe that a comparison of this kind, even if it could be made, would mean very much. The British aircraft industry is, however, fully aware of the importance and value of the use of computers and, with Government encouragement, is expanding its computing capacity.
§ Mr. LloydIn view of the importance of the relationship between computer capacity and lead time, does not the hon. Gentleman consider that we need more information of this kind?
§ Mr. StonehouseWe will certainly consider that.
§ Sir C. OsborneAre American computers regarded as cheaper or better than ours? On what grounds are we going to buy American?
§ Mr. StonehouseWe are satisfied that many very good computers are being made here in the United Kingdom, and we will encourage the British aircraft industry to invest in these.