HC Deb 22 February 1982 vol 18 cc574-5
3. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a further statement on the opening of information technology centres.

The Minister for Industry and Information Technology (Mr. Kenneth Baker)

I announced to the House on 21 December the location of the first 30 centres under this joint Department of Industry-Manpower Services Commission initiative. Most of these centres will be opening over the next two or three months.

I also announced our intention to extend the scheme to a total of about 100 centres over the course of the corning year. Potential sponsors should put themselves forward to their local Manpower Services Commission, which will advise on the drawing up of applications.

I am encouraged by the very positive response we have received from local authorities and technology companies.

Mr. McNamara

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Can he confirm that if Hull gets in its application and complies with planning requirements and so on by the end of next month it will get one of these centres?

Mr. Baker

I understand that there have been fruitful discussions between Kingston upon Hull and the local MSC office. I believe that the application is now due from Kingston upon Hull. My notes in summary say that Kingston has made the right overtures to the right people and is on the right track. But we need an application.

Mr. Henderson

Is my hon. Friend aware that Fife region has one of the largest concentrations of electronics industries in the Western world, but that, despite that, the Levenmouth area is an unemployment black spot? Would it not be an appropriate area for a further centre?

Mr. Baker

I appreciate the importance of technology and technological companies to the county of Fife. I assure my hon. Friend that we are anxious to place more of these centres in Scotland. In the next grouping, I am looking for a figure in excess of 10 for Scotland.

Mr. Carter-Jones

When these centres are established, will the Minister make sure that adequate provision is made for the training and employment of severely handicapped people?

Mr. Baker

We are even considering one of the centres being associated with one of the major training centres for the disabled.