§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many companies in Scotland are operating in the electronic manufacturing sector and how many in the research and development and software sectors; and what information he has as to how many of the electronic manufacturing firms also maintain research and development units in Scotland.
§ Mr. Younger[pursuant to his reply, 4 July 1985, c. 256]: Information is not available on the basis requested. The latest results from the census of employment show that in 1981 the numbers of units classified directly to the electronics manufacturing industry, the research and development industry and the computer services industry in terms of the 1980 standard industrial classification (SIC) were as follows:
Industry Number of Units Electronics 433 Research and development 117 Computer services 149 These figures do not include units engaged in these activities which are classified to other industries in the 1980 SIC.
I have no comprehensive information on the extent of research and development undertaken by electronics manufacturing companies in Scotland. The hon. Member may wish to refer, however, to the Scottish "Economic Bulletin No. 29 of 1984", pp 9–10, which explores the results of a 1981 survey of employment in research and development. A copy of the "Bulletin" is in the Library.