§ Mr. ByersTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to achieve investor in people status; when it started the process; when it expects to achieve investor in people status; and if he will make a statement. [2984]
§ Mr. LangThe Department announced its formal commitment to working towards investor in people accreditation in May 1994. This was followed by a full diagnosis of the relevant procedures and attitudes within the Department. A draft action plan was produced which is now being extended to cover staff who joined the DTI from the Cabinet Office and the former. Employment Department in the latest machinery of Government changes. The revised plan will be submitted to Central London training and enterprise council for approval within the next few weeks, although the key changes in procedures are already being put in place. A trial IIP 825W assessment is planned for the summer of 1996. The timing of the final assessment will be decided in the light of the results of the trial.