§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the present delay between the presentation of a new pattern for weights and measures equipment and its approval; and what effect on the delay will flow from the public expenditure reductions and the moratorium on recruitment of civil servants.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimThe delay before examination starts of new patterns of weighing or measuring equipment is currently averaging 16 months, within a range of from 12 to 19 months. Public expenditure reductions are unlikely to affect the delay period which arises mainly from a shortage of engineers. The moratorium on recruitment does not apply in 43W this sector and we are continuing to seek to recruit staff to fill the vacancies. I hope that the new pay scales, when agreed, will assist.