§ Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect on the United Kingdom engineering switchgear industry of the Central Electricity Generating Board's policy towards replacement of obsolete switchgear equipment; what support his Department gives towards research and development in this field; what information he has on the level of capital investment in the switchgear industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw[pursuant to his reply, 16 March 1987, c. 362–63]: The CEGB has, at the request of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy, made available to the companies concerned details of its future ordering plans for high voltage switchgear. My Department continues to keep in touch with the companies about the implications of these plans for the future of the industry.
Since 1981 the switchgear companies have benefited from over £2.5 million assistance towards research and development. Information available to my Department about capital investment in the switchgear industry has been provided in confidence.