§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how successful his Department has been at encouraging, the increased use of benchmarking within industry; and if he will make a statement. [33275]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorMy Department recognises that benchmarking provides an important stimulus to improving competitiveness within United Kingdom companies, and has a number of related initiatives in this area. Full details of our activities were published in the recent competitiveness White Paper.
405WThe benchmarking challenge was set up in 1993 to encourage trade associations to form benchmarking clubs. Twelve successful associations were supported under the challenge and their activities are progressing. We are also collaborating with an increasing number of trade associations on the implementation of benchmarking initiatives. These activities are designed to improve the competitiveness of the association members.
My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced at the CBI conference and in the competitiveness White Paper that the Department would establish a national benchmarking scheme, to provide a high-quality benchmarking service for business links and business support organisations. Discussions are taking place between the Department, CBI and business links on the introduction of such a scheme.
Consequently, demand for DTI benchmarking publications has been high, with over 40,000 publications being distributed in two years.