§ Mr. WarrenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what revisions are planned to the programme of 657W financial support for the development of gallium arsenide microchips following the withdrawal of the major United Kingdom industrial participation.
§ Mr. NewtonEarlier this year we initiated a review of the gallium arsenide advanced technology programme in the light of the slower development of the market for these devices than had been expected. I understand that the recently announced closure of the Plessey Three Five Group represents only a partial withdrawal from gallium arsenide microchip technology, and that the company will continue to manufacture gallium arsenide integrated circuits at its existing facilities situated in the Plessey research and technology complex at Caswell.