§ Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Technology what financial assistance his Department gave to the electronic industry in Scotland in the year 1968; and what are the comparable figures for the last five years.
§ Dr. BrayIt is not possible to give any single figure to represent financial assistance to the electronic industry in Scotland.
Several categories of expenditure support the electronic industry in Scotland including research and development contracts, defence production 103W contracts and N.R.D.C. contracts. Contracts for electronic equipment, mainly for defence purposes, placed in Scotland were:
£million 1963–64 … 5.6 1964–65 … 4.6 1965–66 … −4.3* 1966–67 … 2.8 1967–68 … 6.0 April to September, 1968 … 2.4 * This net reduction takes account takes of contract cancellations. Contracts for civil research and development in Scotland were placed for the first time in 1967–68, leading to payments in 1968 of £12,750.
Expenditure in the form of investment grants, and procurement for other purposes is met by other Departments.