Press Release

INDUSTRY GROUP MEETS LEADING MP

Cambridgeshire, 25th June 2007.

PCA CEO Keith Warburton, in company with PCA member Hendy Armstrong, secretary of ITACS, and Robert Peckham of the MacTechnology Association - all members of The PCA Reseller Committee - went to the Houses of Parliament and met with Adam Afriyie, the Conservative's Sector Leader for Technology, Media and Telecoms.

The deputation covered a wide range of topics related to the IT sector, including the challenges faced by small businesses. Keith Warburton said "We underlined the fact that the IT marketplace is these days dominated by SME's. There are hardly any large scale indigenous computer manufacturers; most businesses in the country are SME's who want their services and support to come from similar businesses. Parliament and government departments must understand that the challenges faced by our industry are not the same across all sizes of players, and to put in place mechanisms that ensure our needs are properly reflected when drafting legislation such as WEEE."

The issue of WEEE was covered in some depth, and Adam Afriyie appreciated the inequality inherent in the UK implementation of the Directive, with a disproportionate cost for implementation falling upon small resellers, to the benefit of the large retailers.

Hendy Armstrong commented "MPs have a heavy work load so it was extremely encouraging that Adam made time to speak with us. The meeting was very constructive. We were all impressed with Adam's extensive understanding of the I.T. industry and his immediate appreciation of the real problems that WEEE will present to our members' businesses".

Robert Peckham said later "I thought the meeting went extremely well, and we certainly got the point across about WEEE and did some significant educating in the process".

"Adam appears to be a very experienced and approachable champion for the cause; if the Conservatives get in at the next General Election and he makes Minister, I feel we will have a major cabinet-based ally".

Keith Warburton extended an invitation to Adam Afriyie to address the PCA Conference on 26th September.

Further information on the Professional Computing Association at www.pcassociation.org or telephone 0845 634 9245.

-ENDS-

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PCA Background

Founded in 1993 the PC Association is a not for profit trade association of businesses from all parts of the ICT Industry, including vendors, distributors, system builders, resellers, publishers and finance organisations. Membership has grown year-on-year and is now in excess of 550. Joint turnover of member tops £50 billion.

The Code of Practice

Defines the way PCA members may interact with customers both pre and post-sale. Members who deal in counterfeit products, or knowingly encourage or facilitate the theft of intellectual property on the part of their customers will have their membership revoked.