§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new steps he is taking to expedite the approving of new patterns at the National Weights and Measures Laboratory.
§ Mr. HowardThe Department is continually striving to reduce delays in pattern examination to the minimum possible. It is hoped that a special pay addition, which has recently been agreed for pattern examiners, will enable several vacancies at the national weights and measures laboratory to be filled in the near future. The vacancies are currently being advertised at the new rates.
The committee, on metrological control, which reported earlier this year, made several recommendations 14W relating to pattern examination procedures. The Department is giving serious consideration both to the committee's recommendations and to any comments on them that arise during the consultation process which is currently taking place.