§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with retailers about the use of radio frequency identifier devices. [140030]
§ Mr. TimmsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not met with retailers specifically to discuss the use of radio frequency identification (REID) devices.
DTI supports wider and innovative use of REID as a business technology that can bring significant productivity improvements, reduce the opportunity for crime and enhance customer service. Demonstrator projects have been funded under the Basic Technologies and Next Wave programmes investigating REID applications in retail, supply chain, construction and transport sectors.
DTI also seeks to identify and spread best practice, and better inform consideration of. REID technologies by working with the Auto-Identification Manufacturers trade association (AIM UK) and sector specific fora such 995W as the British Retail Consortium, the Buildings Research Establishment and the Institute of Logistics and Transport.