HC Deb 04 July 1978 vol 953 cc111-3W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many 17-year-old persons were involved in road accidents in each of the past five years.

Mr. Horam

I regret the information is not available in the precise form requested. The following information is available:

17-year-old casualties from road accidents in Great Britain by severity—1973–77

encourage United Kingdom industry to apply microprocessor techniques to a wide range of its products and production processes. Assistance under the scheme will be provided on a selective basis and will be available to all sectors of United Kingdom manufacturing industry including those sectors which are eligible for assistance under Section 8 Industry Act schemes. The new microprocessor scheme will complement other existing Government support for the microelectronics industry and for computer hardware and software—including computer and microprocessor applications in business and commerce; the terms of support under the scheme will take account of weaknesses in United Kingdom industry which are clearly emerging from discussions on the Government's industrial strategy. Companies in receipt of assistance under a Section 8 scheme will not be eligible for additional assistance under MAP for the same project. Assistance will be available under the following categories:

A INDUSTRIAL AWARENESS AND TRAINING In the context of the MAP my Department will be making every effort to alert industry to the potential of microprocessors but in addition will utilise the services of existing industry training bodies and educational institutes. My Department will expand and underwrite appropriate training courses with national coverage including the provision of demonstration equipment and by subsidising the attendance by representatives of manufacturing industry. Details of the courses will be made available in due course.

B FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND CONSULTANCY SUPPORT A refund of up to £2,000 of the cost of consultancy work will be made to companies seeking professional advice on the potential for microprocessor installations and processes within their own manufacturing units or for the incorporation of microprocessors in their end-product design.

C MICROPROCESSOR APPLICATION SUPPORT This will take the form of financial support for actual projects, involving the application of microprocessors, whether or not preceded by specific consultancy assistance under part B of the scheme. Assistance will be available both for application of microprocessors in end-products and for their use in production processes.

The scheme will come into operation as from today and formal guidance for applicants will be published shortly. Further announcements concerning extensions or modifications to the scheme will be made by my Department in due course.