HC Deb 07 February 1984 vol 53 cc525-7W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.6 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should take measures to make the marketing of its scheme for advanced manufacturing technology more effective;

(2) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.25 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should assist with the funding of the new Open University courses in advanced manufacturing technology;

(3) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.14 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should review the application of its support for innovation scheme for manufacturing equipment suppliers to provide greater incentives for inter-company collaboration;

(4) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.15 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should develop a scheme which would encourage companies to try out new applications for advanced manufacturing technology at reduced risk;

(5) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.12 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should be much more rigorous in the operation of the guidelines for procurement in order to provide better incentives for encouraging contractors to adopt appropriate manufacturing technology;

(6) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.2 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should review the existing schemes to provide encouragement for investment;

(7) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.8 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should sponsor courses and other means necessary for the training and retraining of the consultants it employs;

(8) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.16 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should examine the scope for providing grant aid for a credible scheme for voluntary certification of advanced manufacturing technology;

(9) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.26 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should examine the scope for expanding the scheme for fellowships in manufacturing management;

(10) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.26 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should take measures to develop the teaching company scheme;

(11) if he will implement the recommendation in paragraph 5.19 of the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development's report, "New Opportunities in Manufacturing", that his Department should devise a scheme for research associations between Government research establishments and industry.

Mr. Butcher

The Government recognise the importance of advanced manufacturing technology and is giving careful consideration to the report by the Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development, including recommendations in paragraphs 5.2, 5.6, 5.8, 5.12, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.19, 5.25, and 5.26. The Government's response will be published in due course.