§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Industry how the level of financial support from the Government to the development of the microelectronics in. dustry compares with the aid given to that industry by Governments in (a) France, (b) the Federal Republic of Germany, (c) the United States of America and (d) Japan.
§ Mr. David MitchellDirect support by the French Government and the Federal60W Republic of Germany for their microelectronics manufacturing industries is estimated to be approximately the same as that of the United Kingdom Government, which is £55 million over the period 1979–83. The Federal Republic of Germany is planning substantial additional aid, starting in 1980. The United States of America has announced Federal support of £100 million over six years and Japan has nearly completed a support programme of £200 million. Public purchasing or regional aid adds considerably to 61W Government support for microelectronics particularly in the United States of America, but this cannot be accurately assessed.
The United Kingdom also gives support to the microelectronics users industries through the £55 million microprocessor application project—MAP—which is designed to alert key decision-makers from both sides of industry to the implications of microelectronics. Under this programme, financial support has been made available to educational establishments to assist them in the provision of training courses for engineers. In addition, financial support is available to manufacturing industry wishing to undertake feasibility studies. Grants are also available to encourage manufacturing industry to apply the new technology in
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EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND—COMMITMENTS(1) AND RECEIPTS BY CALENDAR YEAR IN RESPECT OF UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRIAL AND GOVERNMENT A.F. PROJECTS £ 1975 Commitments Receipts North … … … … … 3,091,228 689,855 North-West … … … … … 1,488,886 316,743 Yorkshire and Humberside … … … … … 593,700 150,823 East Midlands … … … … … 60,900 10,650 West Midlands … … … … … — — South-West … … … … … 655,220 51,784 England … … … … … 5,889,934 1,219,855 Northern Ireland(2) … … … … … 5,566,594.21 2,263,733.2 Scotland(3) … … … … … 6,554,355.22 2,024,909.31 Wales … … … … … 2,890,844 698,493 UNITED KINGDOM … … … … … 20,901,727.43 6,206,990.51 1976 Commitments Receipts North … … … … … 10,852,897.19 4,978,237.3 North-West … … … … … 3,209,522 2,095,362.5 Yorkshire and Humberside … … … … … 1,238,164 976,428.97 East Midlands … … … … … 207,388.5 120,240 West Midlands … … … … … — — South-West … … … … … 155,636 394,402.4 England … … … … … 15,663,607.69 8,564,671.17 Northern Ireland(2) … … … … … 2,030,691 3,842,386.52 Scotland(3) … … … … … 5,389,599.81 2,148,953.55 Wales … … … … … 4,701,435.5 2,757,337 UNITED KINGDOM … … … … … 27,785,334 17,313,348.24 1977 Commitments Receipts North … … … … … 8,690,417.32 5,957,287.51 North-West … … … … … 3,047,466 1,671,531 Yorkshire and Humberside … … … … … 882,659 890,871.63 East Midlands … … … … … — 119,793.8 West Midlands … … … … … — — South-West … … … … … 35,906.4 294,683.25 England … … … … … 12,656,448.72 8,934,167.19 Northern Ireland(2) … … … … … 4,091,900.31 2,504,765.99 Scotland(3) … … … … … 7,672,049.52 6,104,658.27 Wales … … … … … 1,623,674 1,962,711.4 UNITED KINGDOM … … … … … 26,044,072.55 19,506,302.85 processes and products. So far, MAP is thought to be unique.