HC Deb 23 July 1971 vol 821 cc375-6W
Mr. Proudfoot

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has completed his review of the Council of Industrial Design and if he will announce the result.

Mr. John Davies

Yes. I am satisfied that the Council has had a significant and beneficial influence on the standards of industrial design in this country and that there is a continuing need for Government support to enable it to carry out its essential educational and promotional rôle. Earlier I asked the Council, in collaboration with the Council of Engineering Institutions, to consider how progress might be made toward improving the standards of engineering design, and to this end an Engineering Design Advisory Committee has been established. I am convinced that the Council can give a valuable lead in this field. Accordingly I have now asked that it should adjust its priorities and, over time, give greater emphasis to this work.