Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many companies are currently licensed to use the "Wales: Land of Quality" identity; and what is their turnover and number of employees;
(2) what income has been gained from licence fees for using the "Wales: Land of Quality" identity for selling the labels;
(3) what were the itemised costs for the design and development of the "Wales: Land of Quality" identity;
(4) what were the itemised costs of producing, distributing and promoting the "Wales: Land of Quality" identity in terms of product labels, promotional material and advertisements.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe cost of producing the "Wales: Land of Quality" emblem was £60,000 resulting from a competitive tender between three firms, which represented professional fees for design and production by outside consultants and transfer of copyright to the Welsh Office.
The emblem and the positive image it conveys has been used as part of a wider strategy to help develop the Welsh economy by reinforcing the growing perception of the high quality of Welsh firms and their products. The costs incurred so far in promoting its use have been limited to the cost of writing to eligible Welsh companies (principally those awarded quality certification under BS 5750, BS 9000, MoD allied quality assurance procedure quality marks), to appropriate public agencies and to local authorities, urging them to use the emblem.
Eligible organisations are issued with a licence, for use of the emblem, and sample artwork, for which no fee is charged. Currently 72 companies and 12 agencies are licensed to use the emblem. A further 100 companies and agencies have recently been approached with a view to their adopting the emblem. (No details are available of turnover and number of employees).