§ 48. Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many local education authorities in England have not fully implemented the microcomputers in schools programme at secondary and primary level; how many have implemented it in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherAll local education authorities in England, including the 10 local education authorities in Yorkshire, joined in the Department of Industry's micros in secondary schools scheme which ran until December 1982. Only four have yet to submit any applications under the micros in primary schools scheme which runs until December 1984.
All the local education authorities in Yorkshire have submitted some applications for the primary schools scheme. All Local Education Authorities were asked to submit applications in batches in order to regulate production levels and we expect to receive further applications from Yorkshire in due course.
The two schemes have proved extremely successful. Virtually all secondary schools in the United Kingdom received a micro under the scheme and applications for almost 50 per cent. of all primary schools have been received within the first eight months of the two year primary scheme. A further scheme for secondary schools will begin later this month.