§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered the recommendations of the Cunliffe Committee on the British Standards Institution; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Sir H. ShawcrossYes. The Government has decided to accept the recommendations of the Cunliffe Report on the organisation, procedure, constitution and public relations activities of the British Standards Institution. It recognises that a continuing financial contribution from the Exchequer based upon the amount of industrial subscriptions is desirable.
In view of the uncertainty of the future, the Government is unable to accept commitment in respect of the whole five-year term proposed in the Report. It is, however, prepared to be committed for three years (including the present financial year) on the basis that the matter will be considered further at the end of that term. This proposal has been discussed with the Institution who have accepted it.
We have also agreed with them that, in view of the shorter term, it would be appropriate that the maximum Government contribution should be at a level which, while giving the Institution a target which it will take considerable efforts to reach, is lower than that provided for in the Report.
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