§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards the provision of micro-computers for schools.
§ Mr. PattieMy Department continues to take a close interest in the development of the use of micro-computers in schools. I wish to see the United Kingdom maintain and extend its excellent record in this area.
We are therefore willing to provide support for further development on a selective basis, though the direct responsibility for computer provision rests with the local education authorities and individual schools. At present, we are providing £3.million over three years to enable LEAs and schools to purchase more educational software and a further £1 million over the same period to investigate the use of interactive video technology, building in such cases on the successful example of the micros in schools schemes. We have also recently provided each middle and secondary school in the United Kingdom with a free modem, enabling them to explore the use of databases through a microcomputer. We will consider further support as opportunities and needs arise.