UNIVERSITY College Worcester's Principal hosted a manufacturing Question Time featuring a panel of leading West Midlands businessmen.

Professor David Green took the chair at the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire organised event on Friday.

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith and a panel of manufacturing experts fielded questions from the audience on the Government's Review of its Manufacturing Strategy.

Arctic Circle

Deborah Gittoes, joint managing director of Arctic Circle Ltd, in Hereford, David Wright, chief executive of the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Manufacturing Consultant Peter Harpin were also on hand.

"The panel answered questions on what has been achieved so far to protect Britain's manufacturing base and what still needs to be done to ensure Britain is at the forefront of an increasingly challenging world environment," said Prof Green.

Chris Harvey, head of policy and representation at the Chamber of Commerce, said businesses commented on all aspects of the strategy, implemented two years ago.

Open dialogue

"The aim was to have an open dialogue between the Minister and manufacturers," said Mr Harvey.

"The Government's manufacturing strategy was designed to look at how manufacturing in this country could adapt to the new, very competitive world environment."

The Manufacturing Matters debate is organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire and sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire.