§ 28. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what response from industry he has had to his offer of support for microelectronic production technology.
§ Mr. BennTwo microelectronic production technology contracts have been placed and as a result of more recent approaches by some of the leading firms to my Department and N.R.D.C., a wider support programme is now being examined.
§ Mr. DalyellIs my right hon. Friend aware that policy in this field represents something of a major success story for the Government? He referred to wider support in this field. Can he give any indication along what lines?
§ Mr. BennI think that my hon. Friend knows that when I made my original offer in March, 1967, there followed independently some rationalisation in this field. We have placed two contracts with Elliott and Ferranti, and the N.R.D.C. will be involved. But beyond describing what has happened and our general intentions, I do not think I can be drawn on details at this stage.