§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long the British Technology Group has been established in Yorkshire and Humberside; how many persons are involved in the group's operations; how the 456W technology transfers work of the group has developed; whether he has in mind extending its operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe BTG established an office in Leeds in March 1982 in connection with its regional investment role. This has been staffed by one executive and a secretary. As announced in the White Paper on "Regional Industrial Development", this regional investment role has now been brought to an end and comments have been invited on how the BTG could assist the process of innovation in the assisted areas in the future through the technology transfer activities which the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 30 September 1983 were to be their main role. The BTG is preparing a corporate plan at present setting out how it proposes to approach this task.