§ Lord Wade of Chorltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have consulted the Information Age Partnership about the recommendations in the Science and Technology Committee's December 2002 report, Chips for Everything: Britain's opportunities in a key global market, and, if so, when they did so and what practical actions have resulted. [HL3732]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The Information Age Partnership (IAP) has not been consulted on the Science and Technology Committee's December 2002 report,Chips for Everything: Britain's opportunities in a key global market.
The IAP identifies the key issues across the IT communications, electronics and content sectors, where partnership between government and industry can make a difference. The IAP is orientated to rapid action, and work is driven forward through industry-led and resourced working groups with government participation.
As regards the whole area of electronics, from design through manufacture, these issues are being addressed by the recently announced Electronics Innovation and Growth Team (EIGT) which has some common membership with the IAP and which will no doubt wish to consider issues raised in Chips for Everything.