asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made in the development of a national strategy for quality following the publication of the consultative document "A National Strategy for Quality" published in 1978; and if he will make a statement.

The response to the consultative document "A National Strategy for Quality" was widespread and diverse. My Department is examining the results of further informal inquiries that it has made, together with a study of the role of non-price factors in the industrial performance of the United Kingdom. I hope in due course to make a statement about the Government's conclusions.