asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on a microelectronic programme in Scottish secondary schools.

Additional funds of about £300,000 are being made available to the Scottish Council for Educational Technology in the current year for the provision of microelectronic equipment on loan to selected schools and colleges. The major emphasis will be on studies in the application of microelectronics in secondary schools. Further proposals for a development programme in microelectronics related to the education system in Scotland are under consideration.