§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will bring up to date the information concerning the microelectronic support scheme contained in his answer to the hon. Member for Braintree in the Official Report, 27th May 1976, columns 343–4.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe present terms of reference of the microelectronic support scheme remain unchanged.
The total of public funds available under the scheme is £10 million, of which £4.9 million has been paid to the three British-owned semi-conductor manufacturers who manufacture integrated circuits specially designed for particular applications. They are Ferranti, GEC and Plessey. Another £3.1 million has been authorised; thus, the total allocated is £8 million.
A further 15 projects have been approved since my answer in the Official Report of 27th May 1976, columns 343–4, making a total of 137 projects. The company sales are at an annual rate of £10 million, of which about 40 per cent. are direct exports.