HC Deb 22 March 1977 vol 928 cc501-2W
Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Industry on what conditions he is prepared to permit an expansion of colour television manufacture by Japanese companies in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Cryer

Permission to expand colour television manufacture in the United Kingdom by foreign investors depends, as it has done in the past, on my being satisfied that it is in the national interest.

Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which Japanese companies have colour television manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom; how many are employed by them; and how many television sets they produced in 1976.

Mr. Cryer

Two Japanese companies, Sony (UK) Ltd. and Matsushita Electric (UK) Ltd. have manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom. On 22nd March 1977 employment at Sony was 496 and at Matsushita was 168. Sales returns to the Business Statistics Office are made under the Statistics of Trade Act 1947, the disclosure provisions of which preclude the

Thousands
1973 1974 1975 1976
Colour … … … 2,125 1,947 1,584 1,396*
Monochrome … … 1,013 669 538 519*
* Provisional.
Source: Business Monitor PQ 365.2.

Official figures of table monochrome and portable monochrome sets are not collected, but information from trade sources suggests that portable sets accounted for about 25 per cent. of the monochrome sets delivered in 1973, 50 per cent. in 1974 and 60 per cent. in 1975 and 1976.

Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total number of television sets exported by United Kingdom companies in the years since 1971.

divulgence of information relating to individual companies without their permission.

Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Industry which Japanese companies have indicated to his Department an interest in establishing colour television manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom; and what has been his response.

Mr. Cryer

One Japanese company is currently interested in setting up colour television manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom. My Department has made it clear that such a proposal should achieve the objectives of increasing employment in the United Kingdom and of using United Kingdom-manufactured components to the maximum extent; and that the product should either be exported or should lead to a reduction of imports or both. These are the criteria which have always been applied to such proposals.