asked the Secretary of State for Industry how long it is taking to process applications relating to microprocessor application projects; and what can be done to speed up the grant of approval for registered Mapcon consultants.

Time taken to process microprocessor application projects varies. Some take four weeks; when the financial and technical appraisals are more complex, the timescale can lengthen. Where a MAPCON consultant has a client in view, his application for registration should not exceed six weeks. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, perhaps he would write to me with the details.