Promoting research
(n) We recommend that DTI should investigate
the reasons for and the implications of the apparently poor participation
of UK industry in EU programmes (particularly those relevant to
microprocessing) and, as necessary in the light of the findings,
to take action to encourage greater participation. (Paragraph
7.31)
(o) We recommend that UK companies and the finance
sector should pay more attention to investing in R&D in the
field of microprocessing. (Paragraph 7.35)
(p) We recommend that the Government should consider
whether the aggregate future public sector demand for computing
capacity, in all its forms, can be articulated and communicated
in ways that better assist not only the public sector but also
the industry. (Paragraph 10.24)
(q) We recommend that Intellect, the British
Venture Capital Association and others they think appropriate
should consider ways of better informing and enthusing UK industry
and the wider finance sector about projected advances in high
technology, with the aim of not only stimulating the necessary
long-term support for these advances but also, in a two-way dialogue,
encouraging the development of new products for the global marketplace.
(Paragraph 10.26)
Keeping Parliament informed
1.25 All these recommended tasks are urgent,
and some for example, those listed in paragraph 1.24(a),
(j), (k), (n) and (p) above will require attention over
some years. We therefore recommend that the Government, in
addition to their formal response to this Report, also provide
Parliament (and, in particular, this Committee) and other interested
parties with regular reports on the progress of this work, together
with the conclusions and further action proposed.
1 ICT encompasses computing and telecommunications,
both of which are now highly dependent on computer chip technology. Back
2
2001 spending was US$2.4 trillion according to Digital Planet
2002: The Global Information Economy, World Information Technology
and Services Alliance - see www.witsa.org/dp2002execsumm.pdf Back
3
See www.eto.org.uk/eustats/ict.htm Back
4
There would be rather fewer in this area of a silicon chip since
space is also needed for interconnections. Back
5
We follow the standard practice of using the American English
spelling for a computer program. Back
6
Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor - see paragraph 4.9. Back