§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is satisfied that the British Standards Institution has sufficient financial resources to enable it adequately to represent British interests in international standardisation affairs; and if she will make a statement on the probable effects on her Department's efforts on behalf of the consumer of the phasing out of the supplementary grant to the British Standards Institution.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI am satisfied that BSI effectively meets British interests in international standardisation by its system of allocating priorities. BSI estimates that its new subscription arrangements will yield more income, which under the existing formula will qualify for a correspondingly higher grant in aid from the Government. I therefore do not expect any adverse effect on consumers of the agreement with BSI to phase out the supplementary grant.