§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what is the purchasing policy of the Government in relation to microelectronics in the light of answer 830 by the Electronic Engineering Association in reply to the hon. Member for West Lothian in evidence to the Select Committee on Science and Technology.
§ Mr. FowlerIt is the Government's policy to use its public purchasing to promote the efficiency and competitive power of the electronics industry, including the microelectronics sector. Public purchasing authorities do not, however, buy microcircuits as such, but electronic equipments which incorporate them. In this connection the Department's encouragement to the computer industry and the wider application of computers in itself provides an important incentive to the microelectronics industry.