§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of Great Britain's needs in microchips by the 1990s; what percentage of these needs he estimates will be made in Great Britain; and what is his estimate of the percentage that will be imported.
§ Mr. ButcherForecasts have put the United Kingdom consumption of silicon integrated circuits in 1990 at about £1,300 million at today's prices. It is expected that domestic producers would supply approximately one third of the total and imports the remaining two thirds. The level of United Kingdom production is expected to approach the level of consumption with the majority of output going for export. These figures demonstrate the high volume of international trade that characterises this industry.