§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry which element in his microelectronic support programme is intended to foster digital electronic design and the development of alternative microelectronic systems which do not carry the heavy software overheads that microprocessors demand.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAbout £30 million is expected to be provided through the micro-electronics industry support programme towards creating a capability for the design, development, testing and production of microelectronic devices which are not microprocessors. Some support will also be given for the development and production of the devices, and there will be support for such components under the microelectronics applications project. It is not possible to forecast the level of this support until the demand is known.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will change his Department's present orientation and insist that all British Government-funded high-technology projects especially Inmos and Nexos be specifically asked to buy or seek the manufacture of British components and instruments for the microelectronic products they produce.
Mr. Alan WilliamsWhile purchasing decisions are a matter for the companies concerned, the Government hope that companies will give full consideration to possible United Kingdom suppliers.