§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on what plans he has to announce any further assistance under the advanced technology programme.
§ Mr. LilleyYes. I have approved a £15 million collaborative research advanced technology programme for tracked-transport systems aimed at stimulating R and D expenditure to the end of the century.
This initiative will help United Kingdom firms to gain a greater share of new opportunities in tracked-transport arising out of increasing public concern for the environment and recent advances in new technology.
There will be close co-operation between my Department and the Department of Transport and the programme will be fully in line with the priority given to the railways by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport in his statement on 28 May 1991.
The opening of the channel fixed link and the completion of the single European market including the move to freer public purchasing will present further opportunities.