§ 27. Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Technology what study he is making of proposals to merge or partially merge International Computers and Tabulators and English Electric-Leo Marconi.
§ Mr. CousinsThe Government have made it clear to the computer industry that they would welcome the widest possible measure of rationalisation, but this is largely a matter for the industry itself in the first place.
§ Mr. BiffenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there would be widespread concern at the prospect of his Ministry or the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation promoting a shotgun marriage between the two companies? Will he assure the House that he will make it privy to his thinking on this subject at the earliest opportunity?
§ Mr. CousinsThe hon. Gentleman must have the wrong idea of what the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation or my Department is intending to do. We do not intend to promote shotgun marriages. We are talking with the industry about the rationalisation of its affairs in order to assist in the merging of some of these very important companies.