TNAG-1159-FCO40-1439-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 61

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DSR 11C

We therefore encourage them. We look to investing more

in the future and less on supporting the casualties

of the past. We are moving the balance away from

direct financial support for nationalised industries

and the public sector and towards measures to help

industry to innovate. We are providing support for

the development of core technologies such as micro-

electronics, fibre optics and biotechnology*for the

development of new information technology products,

including computer software. Support has almost

doubled in real terms since my Government came

office.

That shows the strength of our commitment

to advancing innovation.

I do not want you to think, however, that this support

Businessmen will still be expected

is an easy option.

to back their decisions to invest in new technologies

with substantial funds of their own. The judgement in

the end whether or not to innovate, to go ahead with

a new design, product or productive process, must be

for businessmen themselves to make.

Governments should not substitute their judgement for

the commercial one. To do so leads to wrong decisions

and waste. I do, however, attach great importance to

education and training in the use of new technologies,

particularly for young people. In this the Government

/does