HC Deb 20 February 1979 vol 963 cc119-20W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will organise a series of seminars to enlighten industry to the uses and potentialities of biotechnological processes similar to the action that he is taking in the field of microprocessors.

Mr. Les Huckfield

I do not consider that seminars of the kind mentioned by my hon. Friend would be appropriate for advancing biotechnological developments in industry. While biotechnology is a very wide subject, developments in it tend to be very specific and not applicable to industry as a whole. This is in marked contrast to the general impact which mircoprocessor developments are expected to have.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he estimates that British industry will be able to produce the essential equipment needed for the manufacture of biotechnological processes; and what steps he is taking to ensure this.

Mr. Les Huckfield

British industry is capable of making plant and control gear for most processes of a biotechnological nature. The sectors concerned are eligible for a wide range of Government support schemes which should adequately cover biotechnological process developments. Examples are the selective investment scheme, the product and process development scheme, the microprocessor application scheme and the support provided through the research and development requirements boards. My Department is anxious to give all possible assistance to the process plant and equipment industries, but in this context does not see need for additional action at present arising from biotechnological developments.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what support he is giving the British Co-ordinating Committee for Biotechnology.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The British Coordinating Committee for Biotechnology does not receive support from my Department, nor has my Department received any request for such support.