asked the Secretary of State for Industry what level of grant his Department has paid to the National Electronics Council in each of the last five years; and what will be paid in the current year.

The amount of grant paid by the Department of Industry to the National Electronics Council (NEC) was £32,000 in 1980–81 and £20,000 in 1981–82. During the current financial year the grant will be £10,000. Prior to 1980–81 the running costs of the NEC were borne on the Department's Central Vote.