HC Deb 26 February 1980 vol 979 cc516-7W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many people have attended the workshops of the microprocessors application project.

Mr. David Mitchell

[pursuant to his reply, 25 February 1980]: The workshops set up by the Department of Industry in 1979 were attended by some 2,000 managers and formed part of a much broader awareness programme under the microprocessor application project which has so far covered over 120,000 key decision makers in both sides of British industry and the financial and academic institutions.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the working of the microprocessors application project; what assessment has been made of the project's effectiveness; and whether any changes are planned.

Mr. David Mitchell

[pursuant to his reply, 25 February 1980]: The Department of Industry's microprocessor application project has proved to be highly successful. The awareness programme has covered over 120,000 key decision makers; the number of training places in microelectronics for engineers has been increased by a factor of 15; over 1,200 feasibility studies and over 700 project support applications have been received. Each part of the project is monitored separately and changes are made as appropriate to meet industry's expressed needs.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the operation of his policies in promoting and extending the microelectronic industry.

Mr. David Mitchell

[pursuant to his reply, 25 February 1980]: The Department of Industry's policies for promoting the microelectronics industry have been developed in collaboration with industry and with other Government Departments and extend to education and training, awareness, social and employment implications, as well as encouragement of research, development and industrial investment. Government aid through the microelectonics industry support programme (MISP) and through the microprocessor application project (MAP) is part of this.