§ 28. Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to provide further assistance to the British semi-conductor industry. [19472]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Government are already providing assistance to the British semi-conductor industry. It is supporting the National Microelectronics Institute under the information society initiative programme for business. The institute, a partnership between the industry and Government, aims to promote the growth of the microelectronics industry in the UK, in particular by stimulating the manufacture of semi-conductors in the UK. Another part of the information society initiative, the microelectronics in business programme, introduces UK companies to semi-conductor technology, and encourages best practice in its use in products. In addition, a number of individual semi-conductor manufacturers, and their suppliers, have received assistance in respect of new investment.