§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his policy towards making a substantial investment in British industry, in order to ensure an indigenous supply of cheap, standard mass-produced integrated circuits as the basis of the microprocessor revolution of the 1980s.
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§ Mr. CryerThe Government's policy is to give maximum support to the development of our micro-electronic capability. Several proposals are under consideration which could lead to the manufacture in Britain of standard, mass-produced integrated circuits. The National Enterprise Board already has a significant interest in the micro-electronic industry and I have given it my consent to a major new project in this area.
§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in view of the fact that the importance of the microprocessor revolution is underestimated in Great Britain in terms of its employment and its overall social and economic consequences, he will set up a study to examine its implications.
§ Mr. CryerThe Government recognise the importance of the microprocessor to the United Kingdom economy and are studying the opportunities which it offers. The possible social and economic consequences of the spread of microprocessor applications are also being examined.