§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry what response he has made to the application by Sheffield education committee for assistance with the purchase of microcomputers for six Sheffield schools.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerApplications under the Department's micros in schools scheme are currently being processed by the microelectronics in education programme for maintained schools. The Department will issue vouchers to the value of half the cost of the package selected by the schools for all those applications which meet our conditions.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in pursuance of the scheme to put a microcomputer in every school, about which he has written to hon. Members, whether he has evidence of any difficulties concerning the availability of equipment, particularly Acorns, RML 380Zs and the BBC computer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThere are, in fact two packages of equipment available to schools under the micros in schools scheme; the Research Machines Ltd. 380Z and the BBC microcomputer manufactured by Acorn Computers Ltd.
I have no evidence of difficulties concerning the availability of equipment; the RM380Z is available now and the BBC microcomputer should be available from about September 1981. It is, of course, for the individual companies to ensure they can meet their orders.