§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations she has received relating to the role of the BSI; [37477]
(2) if she will undertake a full review of the functions and activities of the BSI; [37475]
(3) when (a) she and (b) her Ministers last met representatives of (i) the BSI and (ii) the standards certification industry apart from BSI. [37476]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 2 April 1998]I have received a number of representations concerning the role of the BSI. These have been mainly from the standards certification industry. They have mostly been related to the proposed amendments to the BSI's constitution.
The Department does not intend to undertake a full review of the functions and activities of the BSI. BSI is independent of Government. The Department recently co-ordinated a cross Government consultation with regard
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Region Company Payment of grant1 Ownership North West Vauxhall £1,000,000—August 1997 USA (GM) West Midlands Rover £6,000,000—December 1997 Germany (BMW) West Midlands Jaguar £5,500,000—March 1998 USA (Ford) £1,500,000—September 1997 £5,000,000—March 1997 £400,000—June 1995 West Midlands Peugeot £400,000—September 1997 France £500,000—October 1996 1 Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)—applicable to UK assisted areas to proposed amendments to the BSI constitution. I support the amended constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by BSI's members at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 27 February convened for the purpose.
I met representatives of BSI on 17 February. I have not met representatives from the standards certification industry apart from the BSI, but my officials are in regular contact.