HC Deb 21 June 1989 vol 155 cc168-9W
19. Dr. Moonie

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of trade in information technology in 1979 and 1988.

Mr. Forth

The United Kingdom had a trade deficit in electronics and information technology manufactured goods of £440 million in 1979. Provisional figures indicate a deficit of £2,460 million last year.

25. Mr. McCartney

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further representations he has received on his response to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry's report on information technology.

Mr. Forth

I have received only one written representation on the White Paper.

64. Mr. Eastham

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress of implementation of the Government's policy for information technology.

Mr. Forth

My Department continues to pursue a wide range of activities within the policy framework for IT set out in the Government's response to the Trade and Industry Select Committee report on IT (Cm 646).

New initiatives within the last two months have included: — the launch of a programme to stimulate greater business awareness of the benefits of open IT systems — a new LINK R&D programme in opto-electronic systems supported by £15 million of DTI and SERC funding; and — the announcement of the £20 million second call for proposals under the information engineering advanced technology programme.

78. Mr. Battle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects Britain to have a trade surplus in information technology.

85. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects Britain to have a trade surplus in information technology.

Mr. Alan Clark

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave on 19 April, at column332 to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie).