§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the five-nation Mori survey published in May 1984, about Great Britain's low position in relation to the USA, West Germany, Belgium and Australia in applying new technology; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherI am aware of the conclusions of the Mori survey referred to and, whilst it is possible to question the value of conclusions drawn from a very small sample, I accept that the survey does suggest that some United Kingdom companies do not fully appreciate the important role that new technology can play in up-dating their products, improving their productivity and reducing their costs.
It is for this reason that my Department conducts awareness campaigns and offers advice to draw attention to these opportunities. Information technology year (1982) was a paramount example, and we have conducted more specific campaigns for computer-aided design and manufacture, robotics biotechology etc, directed particularly to smaller firms for quality, design and manufacturing technology generally. Our own surveys show that these campaigns have been effective in raising the level of awareness of these technologies.