§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount has been spent by his Department in financial assistance to projects associated with microelectronics in Scotland in the latest year.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherIt is not possible to give information in the form requested. In the period 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981, however, the Scottish Economic Planning Department made offers of selective financial assistance under section 7 of the 1972 Industry Act totalling £31.1 million for projects in the electronics industry—defined as minimum list headings 354 and 363–367 of the 1968 standard industrial classification. In the financial year 1980–81 the Scottish microelectronics development programme sponsored by the Scottish Education Department received grants totalling £360,000 for the provision of equipment and software to schools and colleges; and grants totalling £270,000 were paid in support of the microelectronics educational development centre at Paisley college of technology.