§ Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much investment or grant-aid Her Majesty's Government are providing to high technology companies in the current financial year; what provision is envisaged for future years; and if he will list the number of companies concerned by type of activity.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerFinancial support under the Science and Technology Act 1965 for general industrial research and development, space technology and civil 421W aeronautics is expected to rise from some £210 million this year to about £300 million by 1985–86. This support is primarily concerned with the advancement or application of technologies but there are no records of the proportions of assistance for high technology companies, however they might be defined. The same applies for the various measures of assistance under the Industry Act 1972.