§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to ensure that Wales benefits fully from the liberalisation of the telecommunication monopoly and from other Government measures designed to stimulate growth of the information technology industry.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsMy aim is that Wales should be well placed to take advantage of the policy of liberalisation of telecommunications. To that end I have had talks in recent weeks on Project Mercury.
So far as information technology industry and other high technology industries are concerned I have given these areas high priority during my visits on inward investment to the United States, Japan and elsewhere. I have arranged subsequent discussions with representatives of these sectors and related educational interests within Wales. My Department encourages the application of advanced technology throughout industry in Wales, bringing the various Government schemes to the attention of industrialists and participating fully in the IT 82 Year.