§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many firms in Clwyd have been helped by the organisation, Managing in the 90s; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntClwyd-based companies, in common with their counterparts throughout the country, have benefited in a variety of ways from this extensive management best-practice awareness programme. Initially focusing on four areas of industrial performance—design, production, purchasing and quality—it has recently been extended to include marketing and innovation.
The programme reaches its audience through a range of media—publications, videos and events. I understand that literature and invitations to events are regularly dispatched to some 100 companies in the Clwyd area.
The programme was launched in Wales in June 1989 with two successful management action briefings, one of which was held at British Aerospace, Broughton, in Clwyd which attracted a capacity audience of predominantly local industrialists.
The programme acts as an umbrella and inspiration behind a wide range of other activities such as Newtech's Transforum with membership in excess of 50 which exists to help Clwyd and Gwynedd companies take advantage of technology transfer opportunities.
Late last year 24 companies attended a "Competing With the Best in Manufacturing" seminar in Holywell arranged under the M90's programme.
The flagship of the programme, the strategy roadshow, has visited Clwyd twice. It was at Deeside industrial estate for a week in September 1991 and more recently in February this year at British Aerospace, Broughton where it attracted 299 visitors over five days from 149 organisations.
640W