§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the progress to date on the reconvening of the Tableware Strategy Group. [29419]
§ Mr. BattleI have been considering this suggestion, along with other options, to identify how best we can work with the ceramics industry. Following discussions with the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) and the Treasury, it may be that the Ceramic Industry Liaison Group (CILG) would be the most appropriate forum to take this process forward. This is an existing forum at which my Department, the DETR, The BCC and CERAM Research, the industry research Association, meet regularly to discuss issues of concern to the industry. My officials are also looking at the possibility of Treasury involvement.
I mentioned this possible approach in my letter of 31 January 1998 to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Stevenson), which I have also copied to my hon. Friend. I shall consider the matter further when responses are to hand.