§ 12. Mr. Bellinghamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what benefits he hopes to accrue to the United Kingdom from the EUREKA initiative.
§ Mr. PattieEUREKA is benefiting us both by increasing the opportunities for British firms to collaborate with European partners in developing new technology, and by focusing attention on the need for action to open up and integrate the European market.
§ Mr. BellinghamIn spite of the unfortunate name, may I congratulate the Government on adapting the initiative to British requirements by turning it into a market-led programme, which should create new and real jobs? Will he do all that he can to ensure that small firms, especially those in Norfolk, are able to benefit from the programme?
§ Mr. PattieI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. The flexibility of the EUREKA framework allows projects of differing sizes, and small firms with specialist skills are well placed to participate. I am encouraged by the extent to which they have shown interest.
§ Mr. DalyellWas it not concern about the future of the EUREKA project that partly prompted the gravest doubts on the part of the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the right hon. and learned Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Brittan), which were overcome only when on Thursday 5 December at 9 am he, along with the Secretary of State for Defence, were summoned separately to No. 10 Downing street to be told that if those doubts were not overcome they could like it, lump it or go? Was that not the truth of the situation?
§ Mr. PattieI have not the faintest idea what the hon. Gentleman is talking about.