§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how often during the past year the Manufacturing Advisory Service has(a) given advice to firms about lean manufacturing and (b) acted as a medium between firms implementing lean manufacturing and (i) lean manufacturing experts and (ii) firms that have already had success in this area. [62681]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence (RCMEs) delivering the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in each region are coming on stream at present and are the responsibility of the Regional Development Agencies in the regions concerned. They are not expected to provide information to the Department in the degree of detail requested by the hon. Member.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken by the Manufacturing Advisory Service to inform domestic firms about lean manufacturing. [62680]
§ Alan JohnsonAll the Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence being established to deliver the Manufacturing Advisory Service in their respective regions will be communicating to manufacturers the merits of lean manufacturing. The associated MAS website (www.dti.gov.uldmanufacturing/MAS) includes a fact sheet on lean manufacturing.
In addition the service will refer manufacturers to the lean manufacturing experts within the group of Industry Forum Adaptation Projects that the Department supports.