National Weights and Measures Laboratory (Hansard, 29 March 2000)

§ Mr. Byers

The Modernising Government White Paper (Cm 4310, March 1999) set out the Government's commitment to delivery of high quality, responsive public services and the approach to quinquennial reviews of Executive Agencies has now been re-focused to reflect this modernisation agenda. I have set in train therefore a Review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) which will, in keeping with the new approach, consider all the organisational options for the Laboratory and ways in which to improve performance.

The Review Steering Board is chaired by Mr. Robert Foster, Director, Innovation Policy and Standards, at the DTI. Mr. John Lee of the National Measurement 192W Laboratories Unit in the DTI is the Secretary to the Board. The Board has appointed Mr. Martin Rumbelow as Reviewer.

The Board has adopted the following Terms of Reference for the Review: The Reviewer is to consider and recommend: first, whether Agency status remains the most suitable way of delivering the services provided by NWML, considering all the options, including abolition, continued Agency status, market testing, merger or rationalisation, privatisation and strategic contracting out, taking into account NWML's contribution to the objectives of the Department and of the Government as a whole, developments in the national and international legislative, regulatory and commercial environment in which it operates, and the views of its customers and staff; and second, what additional services and functions could be provided, whether fee income could be increased, whether NWML's call on DTI resources could be reduced, and how its services and functions could be provided more effectively, for example through the increased use of partnership working and better use of information and communication technology, ensuring that lessons learned and best practice are clearly identified in the Report. The review is to be undertaken in accordance with the latest Cabinet Office guidance. The Reviewer will report at intervals to a Steering Board. It will be the task of the Steering Board to respond flexibly to the Reviewer's proposals during the progress of the Review, each member contributing guidance and knowledge, including where appropriate the good offices of his or her parent department. The Steering Board will ensure that Ministers, the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and the staff and customers of the NWML are kept informed of the progress of the Review and will facilitate the gathering of information for the Reviewer and his or her communication with staff and customers.

The membership of the Review Steering Board is as follows:

Mr. Robert Foster (Chairman)—Director, Innovation Policy and Standards, DTI
Mr. Noel Hunter—County Trading Standards Officer, Warwickshire County Council
Mr. Dick Farman—Strategic Planning Director, Avery Berkel Group
Mr. Harold Gay—Group Trading and Safety Legislation Manager, The Boots Company plc
Dr. Seton Bennett—Director and Chief Executive, National Weights and Measures Laboratory
Mr. Shelley Charik—Director, National Measurement System, DTI
Mr. Howard Ewing—Director, Consumer Advice and Information, DTI
Dr. Les Whalley—Deputy Director, Standards and Technical Regulations, DTI
Mr. Clive Fleming—Assistant Director, Executive Agencies, NDPBs And Service First, DTI
Mr. Tim Dymond—Cabinet Office
Ms Debbie Edwards—Enterprise Team, HM Treasury.

193W

The Reviewer, Mr. Rumbelow is contacting interested parties he believes can provide information and advice to assist him with his work. Information and advice from other interested parties is also welcome and should be sent to the Secretary to the Board:

Mr. John Lee
National Measurement Laboratories Unit
Room 351
Department of Trade and Industry
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SS
Telephone: 020 7215 1416
Fax: 020 7215 1350
E-mail:john.lee@dti.gsi.gov.uk