To ask the President of the Board of Trade what decision has been reached on the financial control regime under which the National Weights and Measures Laboratory will operate. [7845]

Following endorsement by the Treasury, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory will begin operating on a net expenditure control basis from 1 April 1996. From this date I shall expect it to recover its costs in full from income from customers, including the DTI. I am confident that by moving to net control the agency will have the flexibility needed to develop its business further and to meet a wider range of customer needs.