§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West on 18th November concerning the sector working party on the office equipment industry, what action has been taken further to strengthen selected vital areas of the United Kingdom electronic infrastructure.
Mr. Alan WilliamsSince December of last year the Government have announced the selective investment scheme, the electronics component scheme and the product and process development scheme 247W which are applicable to this sector of industry.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West on 18th November concerning the sector working party on the office equipment industry, whether the Government have yet sponsored any research into the scope for joint procurement; and, if so, if he will give details.
Mr. Alan WilliamsFurther consideration has indicated that commercial and technical factors tend to discourage joint procurement in the office machinery industry and the SWP has decided not to pursue the matter for the time being.