asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for encouraging the speed up of automation in British industry.

As was announced on 13th November, I have approved a proposal by the National Research Development Corporation to invest with Elliott Automation Limited in the development and installation of computer based automation systems. My Department is also working on a campaign, linked with our industrial liaison centres, to spread throughout industry up-to-date information about the economics and technology of low-cost automation. Many other activities of my Department will be making a contribution to the spread of automation.