§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Trade why specifications and designs covering four pieces of weighing equipment submitted for approval in November 1978 by a West Bromwich firm were not examined initially by the Department until November 1980; why the manufacturer concerned was not advised until August 1981 that modifications were required; and if he will give a firm date when this application will be approved.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimI understand that the firm to which the hon. Member is referring is Salter Industrial Measurements Ltd. The delay of two years in starting the examination was because of a shortage of examiners; this delay was common to all patterns during that period.
The examination, started in November 1980, was hampered because the equipment did not work properly. The firm was told this and progress meetings with the company were held in March, April and June 1981 to try and resolve their problems. Unfortunately however, the equipment had to be rejected as unsuitable for use for trade in August 1981.
The firm was given the opportunity to resubmit a modified version within three months—to avoid further delay to them—and this it did. There have been further problems of performance but the examination should be completed by the end of February.