§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Industry, with reference to his Department's study on the prospects for the United Kingdom economy in the light of the implications of new micro-processor technology, how many people are working on the study; when it began; if the study will consider and report on the potential unemployment effects; if he can give a progress report on the study; and when the interim and final reports will be made available.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:Work on various aspects of microelectronics technology is proceeding in several Departments; in my Department a new division has been established to work on promoting its 245W application. The Prime Minister announced in June that he had instructed the Central Policy Review Staff to act as the focal point for work on studying the social and employment implications of the technology, and my Department has been associated with its work. CPRS presented a report which was tabled at the National Economic Development Council on 6th December. The Secretaries of State for Employment and for Education and Science and my right hon. Friend presented a joint paper to the NEDC meeting, representing the Government's views on the employment and other implications, and the action the Government were taking to promote the manufacture of microelectronic devices and equipment, and to accelerate their application throughout the economy. Copies of this paper and of the CPRS report were laid in the Library of the House.