§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the forthcoming prior options study of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. [10079]
495W
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Government announced on 29 September 1995 that all public sector research establishments would be subject to prior options reviews.
A review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory has begun. Bearing in mind the extensive studies carried out leading to the decision in 1994 that NWML should remain an executive agency of the DTI, and my right hon. Friend's recently announced decision that it should move to a net expenditure control basis from 1 April 1996, the forthcoming review is likely to draw extensively on this material; the review will also consider NWML's relationship with public sector research establishments.
I should welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 16 February 1996 to Charles Cruickshank, Department of Trade and Industry, 151 Buckingham Palace road, London SW1W 9SS.