§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Technology if he is aware of the dearth in Great Britain of factories for producing automation machines and of the impact of foreign competition in this sphere; and if, to save the export of sterling and to encourage trade, industry and employment, he will take steps to encourage the production of automation machines in Great Britain.
§ Mr. CousinsI am not aware that there is any general shortage of capacity in this country for the production of automative equipment. There are a few particular types of equipment which are not made here, but, in general the handicap to the more rapid spread of automation is not the supply of equipment but the demand for it from user industry.