§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to encourage and promote the development of a unified computer industry in the United Kingdom and other European countries, in view of the preponderant share of the current world market held by the United States of America.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Government recognise the importance to the United Kingdom and Europe of a healthy computer manufacturing industry. The United Kingdom is playing a full part in the EEC four-year programme for the development of data processing within the Community adopted last year. Furthermore, we are discussing with our European partners the Commission's proposals for action to increase the competitiveness of European industry across the whole range of information technology. It is not clear, however, that formal measures of industrial unification are necessary.