§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the production sectors that have chiefly benefited from the information technology Alvey programme and the level of controlled television cameras and digital telephone exchanges developed for Malawi.
§ Mr. ButcherThe Alvey programme is designed to promote long-term strategic research into key enabling information technologies rather than for specific production sectors. While much of the work will be of relevance for manufacturing industry, the microelectronics and computer sectors are those most directly affected.
As part of its contribution to world communications year in 1983 the United Kingdom Government arranged for the supply, installation and maintenance of three rural digital exchanges to the Malawi Department of Posts and Telecommunications. This Department is not aware of any United Kingdom involvement in the development or supply of controlled television cameras to Malawi.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications were submitted to his Department in 1984 for grants from the Alvey programme; and what proportion of such applications were turned down.
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§ Mr. ButcherSince applications started being received in September 1983 the Alvey directorate has received 457 formal applications for support, 126 of which have been turned down to date.