§ 6. Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to receive the sectoral industry report concerning the computer industry from NEDC.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe tripartite group carrying out the computer industry sectoral study has been asked to submit its first report to the NEDC by early June.
§ Mr. TebbitCan the Minister say whether what he referred to as the tripartite group report will be delayed following the squabble between various unions, especially Mr. Jenkins' union ASTMS, which meant there were no trade union representatives present at the first meeting of this group?
§ Mr. KaufmanI know that the hon. Gentleman has a serious interest in the computer industry. He does that interest no credit with this kind of muck-raking.
§ Mr. Gordon WilsonWill the Minister give an assurance that when the report is received he will seek to abolish the single tender scheme in the public sector, which favours the English ICL manufacturer against the Scottish computers produced by IBM, NCR and Burroughs? Does he realise that this does immense harm to Scottish jobs in the computer industry?
§ Mr. KaufmanThe hon. Member must be complimented on extending his Scottish nationalism across the Atlantic. I have had consultations with both Burroughs, whose presence I welcome, and Honeywell, which has recently received an extremely good order for a university computer. I am anxious that both companies should provide maximum employment, but I have made clear to them that I am not prepared to undermine the position of the only wholly-British owned computer company.
§ Mr. TebbitOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the nature of that reply——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I was going to call the hon. Member for another supplementary question. If hon. Members ask briefer supplementary questions it may be possible for hon. Members who asked the original Questions sometimes to get a second bite of the cherry. Mr. Gwilym Roberts.
§ Mr. Gwilym RobertsWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the problem of computers spreads well beyond data processing, and will he ensure that the use of computers in other spheres, including control and automation, is taken into account in this inquiry?
§ Mr. KaufmanI am well aware of my hon. Friend's long interest in this matter and I shall certainly take full account of what he says.
§ Mr. TebbitWill the Minister refrain from muck-throwing and deal with the substantive point raised in my earlier question?
§ Mr. KaufmanI am not prepared to become involved in personalities in the 12 way the hon. Members seeks. This is a constructive tripartite group and we are looking forward to its report so that various matters can be studied and reported upon later.
§ Mr. HeseltineWill the Minister take this question seriously? It appears that my hon. Friend the Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) is trying to find out whether there is a case for ensuring that there is full union representation in these discussions. It also appears that the Minister has not grasped the importance of this matter. Will he now answer the question in the terms in which it was put?
§ Mr. KaufmanThe terms in which it was put were offensive, and I refuse, however much provoked, to respond in an offensive way, because it is not in my nature. We look forward to constructive tripartite discussions and a satisfactory report.
§ Mr. TebbitOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the nature of that reply, I give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.