§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the National Research Development Council investment in the development and manufacture of silicon-integrated circuits.
§ Dr. BrayOn 13th March the National Research Development Corporation and the Department announced that the Corporation would invest a total of just under £5 million in the development and manufacture of micro-electronic devices by Ferranti Limited, Marconi-Elliott Microelectronics Limited, and The Plessey Company Limited, under recently concluded agreements. The agreements were made by N.R.D.C. at my right hon. Friend's request, under Section 11 of the Development of Inventions Act, 1967. The Corporation expects to recover its investment with interest by 1980 through a levy on the companies' sales of silicon integrated circuits.
Copies of the full text of the announcement have been sent to my hon. Friend and placed in the Library of the House.
The programme is proceeding satisfactorily, and there is continuing consultation between N.R.D.C., the three companies, and the Department.