HC Deb 20 July 1981 vol 9 cc12-3
11. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress there has been in the application of micro-technology in British industry.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

About 30 per cent. of manufacturing companies are using, or are planning to use, micro-technology in their products and processes according to a survey by the Policy Studies Institute, to be published shortly. This compares with 5 per cent. in the Department's survey in 1977. While encouraging, this is still not enough, and the Government have several initiatives to encourage United Kingdom companies to keep up with their international competitors in this very important technology.

Mr. Taylor

As the application of micro-technology, correctly applied, can make firms more competitive, do the Government feel that they have a role in promoting or encouraging the further use of micro-technology and would the Minister care to specify what that role might be in practice?

Mr. Baker

We certainly have a role. As I said, more than 50 per cent. of companies do not use micro-technology. Perhaps their most modern product is an electric typewriter. About £33 million has been committed to the microprocessor application project and a further £50 million to the microelectronic support programme. The funds are available to stimulate research and development and product and process development.

Mr. McNamara

What co-operation does the Minister's Department have with the Department of Employment in ensuring that in retraining programmes and work opportunity programmes initiated by the Department of Employment young people have an opportunity to train not in out-dated techniques and technologies, but in microprocessing, word processing and other technologies?

Mr. Baker

I have frequent discussions with my colleagues in the Department of Employment on this matter, and we have taken various initiatives. The Manpower Services Commission has an excellent range of courses in computer studies and services, and we have launched the "Micros in Schools" scheme which has been an outstanding success. We have had 1,000 applications since June.

On the general employment consideration, may I draw to the attention of the House today's announcement by the Hewlett Packard company of its intention to build a major plant in the Bristol area, using high technology to make computer memory discs? It is a major new investment in high technology and will provide more than 1,300 jobs by the mid-1980s. It is clear proof that the United Kingdom is an excellent base for companies in the high technology sector, and it will bring jobs to us.