§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the role of the advanced computer technology project; why it is being disbanded; and who will perform this role in the future.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe project has been a channel for support by my Department for advanced research and development in computer and allied technology since 1963. It also provides a forum for interaction between firms working in this 489W sector. It will run down during 1979 because there is now provision for support of this work through other routes within the Department. The change means no reduction in priority for this field of technology. Arrangements for this will be announced shortly.