§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 588, whether, and at what stage in the decision-making process, he opposed or demurred from the proposal to standardise on a common voltage; at what stage he consulted British manufacturers and interested parties; and what proportion of them was opposed to the proposal.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade had reservations on the proposal to standardise on a common voltage until considering the returns of the consultation exercise. Consultations with British manufacturers and interested parties were carried out between October and December 1992. Of those who responded fewer than 10 per cent. of the manufacturers were opposed to the proposal and many of the interested parties did not express any firm views.