§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the potential of micro-electronics in the motor vehicle industry in the United Kingdom;
(2) what he estimates is likely to be the contribution to pollution abatement by the incorporation of micro-processors in regulating exhaust emissions in vehicles;
(3) what he estimates is likely to be the contribution to energy conservation by incorporating into motor vehicles 363W micro-processors for the control of fuel injection and ignition timing;
(4) if the incorporation of microprocessors for headlamp control is likely to add to the safety of motor vehicles in the United Kingdom; and if an estimate of the cost of the innovation has been made;
(5) what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the export market for British cars of any failure to adopt microelectronic devices;
(6) if any assessment has been made of the effect of the adoption of microelectronic process control in giving Continental car manufacturers a competitive edge over United Kingdom producers.
§ Mr. CryerOn 4th July, my right hon. Friend announced the introduction of the microprocessor application project (MAP); the aim of this new assistance scheme to which an initial allocation of £15 million has been made, is to accelerate the application of microprocessors and related technology wherever appropriate to products and processes throughout the whole range of United Kingdom industry. The activity generated by MAP will include the involvement of Government and industry in the assessment of the potential of micro-processors in many industries, and I anticipate that the motor vehicle industry will take full advantage of this opportunity.
The installation of micro-processors in motor vehicles presents technical problems related, for example, to the environmental stress of high temperatures and vibration, but provided such problems can be overcome, the devices will undoubtedly have a contribution to make in such areas as the alleviation of pollution, energy conservation and headlamp control.
Failure on the part of the United Kingdom vehicle industry to adapt its products and processes to the new technology is likely in the longer term to have a potentially serious adverse effect on the competitiveness of British cars, in all major international markets.