§ Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Supply the total value of Government contracts placed with the electronics industry in each of the last four years; and what share of such contracts was placed with the Scottish electronics industry in each of these years.
§ Mr. SandysThe form in which our records are kept does not show the amount of work carried out annually by particular industries and geographical locations.
§ Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Supply what estimate he has of the amount of capital now invested in the electronics industry; and what share of this is invested in the Scottish electronics industry.
§ Mr. SandysI regret that no estimate of the capital investment is available.
§ Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Supply what estimate he has of the total value of the output of the electronics industry in the 12 months ended on the latest convenient date; and what estimate he can give of the share of the Scottish electronics industry in the total.
§ Mr. Sandys£125 million and £2 million, respectively.
§ Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Supply (1) what progress has been made in the building of the new laboratory block in Edinburgh for the electronics industry; and when is it expected that the block, with its ancillary buildings and services, will be completed;
(2) what further progress has been made by the group of Scottish firms associated for the purpose of doing electronic work.
§ Mr. SandysWork on the site of the laboratory block began on the 15th November, 1952. has progressed as planned and should be completed in July, 1954.
Full implementation of the group scheme initiated by the Scottish Council must await the completing of the new laboratory block.