HC Deb 15 February 1966 vol 724 cc1081-2
1. Mrs. Shirley Williams

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to encourage the major firms in the British computer industry to coordinate their research and marketing divisions.

The Minister of Technology (Mr. Frank Cousins)

The work and organisation of their research and marketing divisions is essentially a matter for the computer manufacturers concerned. My Department keeps in touch with the major computer manufacturers, however, and draws their attention to opportunities for co-ordination and collaboration, especially in research.

Mrs. Williams

In view of the fact that one country and one company in that country dominates the computer market, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the need to get more economies of scale into the British industry to enable us to compete effectively?

Mr. Cousins

This is, of course, part of the approach which we have made to the computer industry as a whole and to particular countries. We know that a comparable computer industry could be created in this country to take care of the problem which my hon. Friend raises.