HL Deb 17 April 1985 vol 462 cc696-7

2.52 p.m.

Lord Rodney

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage collaboration in the electronic engineering industry between member states of the EC.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, collaboration in the electronics industry is primarily a matter for the companies themselves. However, the Government acknowledge that they have a role in creating the right environment. This is being achieved through the harmonisation of international technical standards and through effects to create a truly single market within the European Community. The Government are also promoting research and development, primarily through the Esprit programme, which, being based on joint research activities, will also encourage collaboration.

Lord Rodney

My Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that Answer. Can he tell the House what progress is being made in implementing the Commission's programme for basic technological research which goes by the name, I believe, of Brite? Can he also tell your Lordships what funds have been allocated to it and what is the United Kingdom's share in this?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, Brite is a collaborative programme aimed at introducing new technologies into traditional industries. One hundred and twenty-five million ecu—about £75 million—has been allocated for its four years' life, of which the United Kingdom contribution will be 22 per cent. The first call for proposals has just been made. We have conducted seminars and used the technical press and direct-mail shops to publicise it. To judge from the expressions of interest made last year we have high hopes for the participation of United Kingdom companies.

Lord Orr-Ewing

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that co-operation with Western Europe might be easier if the financial assistance given by the respective governments were rather more equal? Is he further aware that in the important field of microelectronics the French Government are now giving five times as much as this country, and that Germany is giving over twice as much as this country? Is this not disturbing to the long-term future of this important industry?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his question. I am aware of the figures to which he refers. They should be interpreted with care because they are not directly comparable. For instance, they differ in their coverage of expenditure by Government departments for defence, R & D, and telecommunications. They vary in their coverage of support for regional investment and inward investment. They omit expenditure on programmes of the European Community, and some of the assistance is of a type that this Government would not wish to offer.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, can the noble Lord give the House an idea of the fields in which Her Majesty's Government consider that collaboration in particular sections of the electronics industry would be favourable to this country? Will he also give as indication as to what consultations he has had with the various sections of the electronics industry in this regard, and towards the establishment of the internal market in the EEC itself?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, as regards consultations, the Esprit programme is a joint programme between industry, Government, and the European governments, as is the Alvey programme between industry and Government and the universities. Regarding the development of the internal market, it is vital that we get as soon as possible the advantage which the United States and Japan have of a large domestic market. We believe that European companies also should have that advantage. The Government are taking every opportunity to press for the reduction in checks and formalities at frontiers, for the freedom to provide services, and for the opening up of markets through open tendering. There is a number of different fields in which these programmes are taking place. For example, the Esprit programme is in microelectronics, advanced information processing, software technology, office systems and computer integrated manufacture.