§ 28. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in view of the representations made to him by the hon. Member for Bedforshire, South he will site an information technology centre in South Bedfordshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI announced the first 30 information technology centres to the House on 21 December, and I also announced our intention to extend the scheme to a total of about 100 centres during the course of this year. This is a joint Department of Industry/Manpower Services Commission initiative and the MSC is identifying the likely locations for the extended programme. We shall seek to achieve a geographical balance, and I hope to announce further locations shortly.
It is not possible at this stage, however, to say whether South Bedfordshire will have a centre, but I have taken note of my hon. Friend's interest, and the MSC is currently dealing directly with the college concerned.