§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much has been spent on microelectronics in schools in the United Kingdom in each year since 1970; and how this compares with the figures for France, Germany, the United States of America and Japan.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThis information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what priorities his Department has adopted in its expenditure on microelectronics in schools; and what information he has about the priorities adopted in France, Germany, the United States of America and Japan;
(2) what contact there is between his Department and those of other countries concerning the teaching of microelectronics in schools and its development.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe development programme announced earlier this year will support projects designed to promote the application of microelectronics in schools and colleges. Priority will be given to curriculum development, teacher training and arrangements to make more and better software available. My Department has sought information on developments in this field from a number of countries, including France, West Germany and the United States of America. Some of these countries appear to share our concern for the curriculum implications of microelectronics. Others have given priority to the provision and installation of common systems of equipment.