§ Mr. Cantasked the Secretary of State for Industry what response he proposes to make to the refusal of a high proportion of firms in the computer industry, including five multinational companies, to participate in the National Economic Development Office exercise in manpower planning; and how this affects his general policy on compulsory planning agreements.
§ Mr. CryerI presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the survey of the manpower and training requirements of computer manufacturers and software houses carried out by the Manpower Sub-Committee of the Computer Sector Working Party. I understand that the response to this survey was not as full as might have been hoped, but it is for the sector working party to decide what action is appropriate in the circumstances. This does not affect the Government's policy on planning agreements.