HC Deb 14 May 1986 vol 97 c477W
50. Mr. Squire

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new initiatives his Department is taking to promote excellence in design.

Mr. Butcher

In addition to the Department's continuing work in established areas to promote design, there have already been two major new initiatives in 1986.

The first was the Department's design commitment conference in January to enlist the help of the top managers of 80 of the United Kingdom's leading companies to work with their suppliers and others to increase exploitation of good design in industry and commerce.

The second is a major national advertising campaign organised by the Design Council with funding from the Department. This was launched in April and is aimed at increasing management awareness of the contribution good design can make to company competitiveness.