§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes are being proposed in the operation of the British Standards Institute and its various advisory committees on information technology standards; what decisions have been taken by Government so far; and by what means he proposes to consult the commercial and other private interests concerned.
§ Mr. ForthMy Department, in co-operation with the British Standards Institution, is undertaking a consultation process with industry and commerce to determine the feasibility of establishing new arrangements for IT standardisation activities in the United Kingdom falling within the framework of BSI.
A steering group drawn from industry and commerce is overseeing this feasibility work and a project team comprising officials, industry secondees, BSI staff and consultants has been assembled. Industry and other interests are being consulted to determine the degree of commitment by business and others in supporting new arrangements. Methods of consultation include direct interviews, group meetings and by correspondence. The primary objective of any new arrangements would be the more effective use of United Kingdom resources to contribute to the development of European and international IT standards. If sufficient commitment is forthcoming, clear proposals would be put to BSI next year.