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At the end of November, the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers & Distributors Association (PMMDA) members and guests were fortunate enough to visit the Houses of Parliament.

At the event, organised by Committee Secretary Nikki Williams, those attending were able to take part in a fully guided tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.  Members and guests were then led to a Drinks Reception which was held in one of the Terrace Dining Rooms.  Mark Pawsey MP, Member of Parliament for Rugby and PPS to the Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise was the Guest Speaker, having sponsored the occasion. Before election to Parliament, Mr Pawsey ran his own business supplying products to the catering trade and is a member of, amongst others, All Party Groups on Manufacturing, Micro-Businesses, Packaging and Small Business.  Mr Pawsey spoke about his experiences in business and politics and chatted with guests on issues members raised with him.

PMMDA Chairman Nigel Flowers thanked Mr Pawsey for taking the time out to support the event and stated: ‘In preparation for the event I looked at the rate that the UK plastics industry is investing in high output / low energy equipment and discovered that at the current rate of investment it will take 20 years to replace the current aging installed base.  Government and your support of manufacturing and small businesses is vital if we are to continue to pursue a high technology based manufacturing economy by accelerating that change.’

After the Lunch Reception, all were invited to watch the Speaker’s Procession through Central Lobby, and view debate in the House of Commons Chamber from the Public Gallery.

Any enquiries can be directed to Nikki Williams at pmmda@pmmda.org.uk

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