HC Deb 18 June 1986 vol 99 cc1042-3
15. Mr. Philip Oppenheim

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the present level of encouragement given by the information technology and electronics based industries to information technology training and skill development in education.

Mr. Pattie

I welcome the steps taken by some leading firms to promote the provision of relevant education and training. But, as my hon. Friend pointed out in his recent study, there is room for industry to collaborate much more with the education system at all levels to meet skill requirements.

Mr. Oppenheim

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Is it true that the plethora of Government schemes, some of them run by the Department of Employment and some by his own Department, and the plethora of training schemes run by private industry are, in many ways, confusing? Is it not time that the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Employment, and industry tried to get together to work out some national system of training on the German model?

Mr. Pattie

I do not know whether the German model is necessarily the best one to follow. There is a great deal of activity at present. Industry has set up the information technology skills agency and yesterday the ACARD report on the future of the software industry in the United Kingdom was issued. One of the report's main recommendations was that British industry should place major emphasis on training, which is very much to be welcomed.

Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

Is the Minister aware that the ACARD report, which no doubt he has read—

Mr. Pattie

indicated assent.

Mr. Robinson

I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman has read it. Is he aware that, reading between the lines, the report amounts to a terrible indictment of the Government because of their neglect to provide real support measures for the software industry? That sector is growing even more rapidly than the information technology industry as a whole. For example, in 10 years' time, 40 per cent. of IBM's total revenue will come from software sales. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that urgent action needs to be taken by the Government? We want not words from him but action by his Department.

Mr. Pattie

I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman has been reading the same report. The report's analysis is substantially in line with the measures that we are already taking. The report contains interesting ideas. In line with our response to all ACARD reports, we shall consider this one carefully and, no doubt, report in the autumn.