§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry what consideration he is giving to sponsoring the establishment of a showpiece factory where automation is total.
§ Mr. ButcherThe Government are anxious to encourage the rapid adoption by British industry of automated, flexible manufacturing systems where they can assist the quality and competitiveness of British products. A support scheme is in preparation under which an342W automated factory project could qualify. However, any such project would have to be commercially viable in the longer term and not merely a showpiece factory.