§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, before his statement of 28 April on advanced information technology, he discussed his proposals with 238W the EEC Commission; and whether his proposals on confidentiality are intended to ensure that multinational companies taking part in the programme do not share the results of research with associate companies within the European Community.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe proposals contained in the Report of the Alvey committee were developed in full knowledge of the discussions on the European Community's ESPRIT programme and it is intended that the programmes should complement one another. Discussions on the Alvey programme have taken place between officials of the Department of Industry and officials of the EEC Commission in the context of ESPRIT but there have been no specific discussions on the proposals announced to the House on 28 April. As to the dissemination of results arising from the programme, we are aware of our international obligations and it is our intention to comply with them.