§ Lord AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken or are planning to take to inform the authorities in the People's Republic of China of computer products available from the United Kingdom, and whether they will allocate a sum from the aid programme for the purpose of enabling Chinese universities and other research institutes to purchase these products.
§ Lord TREFGARNE1. Agreements signed by the British and Chinese Governments to foster economic co-operation and scientific and technological co-operation provide a favourable basis for British companies' commercial activities in China across a wide range of industries. Sectors specifically identified in the economic co-operation agreement include electronics, and in the scientific and technological agreement, computer technology. The Government also use the opportunities provided by ministerial and other official visits to represent the interests of British industry, including the computer industries.
1582WA2. The Government also support the direct efforts of British companies including computer companies to sell to China. Visits have taken place in both directions involving British computer firms and firms whose products involve computerised processes. We are anxious that these contacts should be developed and that new ones should be established wherever possible.
3. The Government have no plans to allocate aid funds to assist the sale of these products to China.