§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of British companies and universities currently being represented in information technology programmes being arranged by the European Community.
§ Mr. ButcherThe main information technology programme organised by the Community involving companies and universities is the European strategic programme for research and development in information technology (Esprit). The Community is also responsible for the regulation on Community actions in the field of microelectronic technology, and the multiannual data processing programme. Excluding the latter for which contracts have not yet been let, 31 United Kingdom companies, 19 academic institutions and seven other organisations (such as research associations) are currently participating in these programmes.