§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration is being given to further public subsidy to the computer industry, and under which statutory powers; and if he will give as much information as is consistent with commercial considerations about the applications for assistance which he has received.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe Government are considering ICL's needs for further support of its R & D programme beyond the £14.2 million which is already being provided in the period to September 1973 under the Science and Technology Act 1965. I hope that an announcement about any further support for ICL can be made shortly. Limited support is also being provided to other firms under the various measures I announced on 2nd August 1972 when responding to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology. Apart from further support to ICL, no other maim applications for support from the industry are currently being considered.—[Vol. 842, c.155–7.]