§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as previously indicated, the Ministry of Defence SDI Participation Office has set up an industrial support unit; and if so, what is its membership, what firms are represented, and what proportion of firms approached this represents.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)An industrial support unit is being set up within the SDI Participation Office. The unit will support all firms wishing to participate in the research programme. The director of the unit took up his appointment on 1st July. Further appointments will follow. About 200 firms were invited to nominate candidates.