§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government will support a cooperative European research and development of the latest computer memory technologies.
§ Mr. ChatawayBefore coming to any conclusions I would wish to see proposals of a concrete nature.
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he accepts the conclusion of "Community Policy on Data Processing", a communication of the Commission to the Council, that European-based firms will have difficulty in attaining the minimum necessary scale to be economically viable on their own without permanent Government subsidy.
§ Mr. ChatawayI stated the Government's view on 4th July 1973 when I366W said that ICL's forward plans and forecasts indicated that no further financial assistance would be required or sought from the Government after 1976. But, as I also make clear, we intend to encourage any European association which ICL decides to be in its commercial interest.
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will support the pooling of research, production and marketing capabilities on the part of European companies for certain computer peripheral equipment as defined in the EEC Communication "Community Policy on Data Processing".
§ Mr. ChatawayThis communication also mentions the need for a further examination at Community level to see whether a specific programme of support is necessary. I am in agreement with the need for this further examination.
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to try to ensure EEC collaboration on the procurement of computers for public service use.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe communication from the EEC Commission to the Council covering Community policy on data processing opens up the way for further discussions on several issues including public procurement. It will be my aim to secure in these discussions a recognition that preferential procurement policy is an important instrument of support in present circumstances for the European computer industry if it is to compete successfully in world markets.