§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether it remains the Government's intention to maintain an indpendent British computer industry;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the future of the British computer industry, following the take-over approach made by Burroughs for International Computers Limited.
§ Mr. ChatawayI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House yesterday, in which I announced the Government's intention to provide further financial support to ICL.—[Vol. 840, c. 34.]
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is prepared to support a partial foreign participation in International Computers 106W Limited while maintaining his intention to veto any proposed outright foreign take-over.
§ Mr. ChatawayIt is the Government's view that any association between ICL and an overseas firm should provide for the maintenance of a substantial computer research and development manufacturing and marketing capability controlled in this country.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will withhold consent for the acquisition of International Computers Limited by the Burroughs Corporation of the United States of America until he has completed his study of the recent report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology on the future of the United Kingdom computer industry and made a statement of policy in the light thereof.
§ Mr. ChatawayI am not aware of any formal bid from Burroughs to acquire International Computers Limited. As regards support for the computer industry, I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the statement I made yesterday.—[Vol. 840, c. 34.]
Mr. Saintonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether he will refer the proposed acquisition of International Computers Limited by the Burroughs Corporation of the United States of America to the Moinopolies Commission.
§ Mr. ChatawayBurroughs have not made a formal proposal to acquire ICL.