§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the reasons for the withdrawal of funding to soil scientists involved with the International Standards Organisation Committee on Soil Quality and Pollution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[holding answer 24 January 1990]The assisted international travel scheme provides assistance towards the travel costs of delegation leaders and principal experts attending standards meetings overseas. The intention is to help individuals, representatives and employees of organisations which are not directly or indirectly public funded. The Government provide a substantial allocation of funds, but it would not be appropriate to accept an open-ended commitment. The Department has therefore given BSI, which administers the scheme, a priority ranking for claims on those funds which gives top priority to meetings of European standards bodies engaged on work to complete the single market.