§ Sir Keith SpeedTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what his Department's expenditure was on the national measurement system in(a) 1991–92 and (b) 1992–93; what is the comparable forecast expenditure for the succeeding three years; and what is the comparable planned increased expenditure from 1991–92.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 13 December 1993]: My Department spent £41.2 million on the national measurement system in 1991–92, and £42.2 million in 1992–93. We expect an outturn of £42 million for 1993–94. The budgets for the following two years have not yet been finalised.
§ Sir Keith SpeedTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been received from industry calling for the national physical laboratory and the national measurement system to be retained and adequately funded; and what account will be taken of those views.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 13 December 1993]: The CBI and the instrumentation and control trade association, GAMBICA, have made clear their support for my Department's objective of providing a well-founded measurement infrastructure as an underpinning factor in UK competitiveness and the importance they attach to its continuation. A number of companies have made similar points to my Department. These views will be fully taken into account as we develop our policy in the area. My Department also engages consultants to canvas a wide range of opinion in industry on the appropriate areas of work under the national measurement system when the various programmes funded by the Department come up for renewal.