§ Mr. Richard Pageasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek minimum levels of local content in electronic products of overseas manufacturers selectively assisted with inward investment projects.
§ Mr. ButcherWhen offering selective financial assistance, the Government seek to maximise the overall national benefit, if appropriate including the level of local content envisaged.
§ Mr. Richard Pageasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of Government 231W support for the microelectronics industry for 1984 and 1985; and what information he has on comparable figures for France, Germany and Japan.
§ Mr. ButcherThe level of Department of Trade and Industry support for the United Kingdom microelectronics industry was £26 million in the 1984–85 financial year and is likely to be about £35 million in the current year. Since these figures include assistance under investment, regional and collaborative research support programmes, we do not have comparable figures for other countries.