§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the introduction of robotics upon employment during the next decade.
§ Mr. ButcherAlthough my Department has not commissioned any such work I know of studies undertaken by a number of other organisations.
In the short term there may be some job losses arising from the introduction of robots but in the longer term the productivity improvements they make possible, will enhance the earning power and competitiveness of British industry and provide a sound base for future employment prospects. Robots have to be manufactured and marketed—tasks all requiring manpower in the United Kingdom.