§ Mr. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Industry what the purposes and conditions are of the support grant of £1 million being offered to Mullard Ltd. for the development of its microelectronic manufacturing capability in Southampton.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe grant was made under the Science and Technology Act 1965 and the Industry Act 1972 within the Department's microelectronic industry support programme. Part of this programme is aimed at 825W helping British microelectronics manufactures enhance their capability for design and manufacture of integrated circuit chips needed by important sectors of United Kingdom industry for which standard chips are unsuitable. Mullard is one of the key British companies with this capability and the grant is in aid of a major investment which will ensure the advancement of the technology and the growth of production in the United Kingdom.
The grant will be paid in stages and the main condition is that the company should adhere to the agreed development plan.