asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will compile estimates of the type and volume of machine tools required by British industry over the next five years; and if he will make finance available to the machine tool industry on condition that production is organised to meet this estimated demand.

I have already made available £20 million for a scheme of assistance to the machine tool industry under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 in order to strengthen its ability to meet the needs of the engineering industry and to compete for a share of world markets. A strategy for the industry, taking account of expected demand for different classes of machine tool, is being formulated by the Machine Tools Economic Development Committee with the help of both sides of the industry.