17. To agree on the TC 18 Strategic Policy Statement
180(Houston/Sec)28
There was no document 18(Houston/See)28 for several reasons, amongst them that the meeting moved ahead of schedule. The Chairman stated that he would update the Strategic Policy Statement to include reference to the new IEC maintenance system, and TC 18's proposed maintenance schedule. He requested that the committee agreed to this procedure.
The agreement was unanimous.
18. Any other business
On a question from Mr.Borstlap Mr.Coupy confirmed that the publications of TC 18 would be available in PDF electronic format in the near future. They can be loaded down with the permission of the relevant National Committee subject to payment of fees.
19. Date and place of next meeting
The Chairman asked if any delegation could offer to consider within their National Committee to invite TC 18 for the next meeting in the year 2000.
Mr.Xia offered to take the request back to his National Committee and to give an answer early next year.
20. To note the transfer of Secretaryship of SC 18A
18A/166/AC
21. Transfer of Chairmanship of TC 18
The Chairman said it was a pleasure for him to stand down and hand the Chairmanship over to Mr.Giovanni Rebaudengo.
On behalf of the delegates Mr.Clark then asked for the floor and spoke as follows：
Mr.Chairman, we note that at the beginning of this meeting you advised you were no longer Chairman of TC 18. We also note that there was no Agenda item to approve your position as Chairman of this committee.
We therefore had the intention to request that we start this meeting all over again following the official vote. However, in view of the fact that in my memory this has been the fastest TC 18 meeting I can remember, we have decided to withdraw that request.
Mr.Chairman, I have been volunteered to perform a task. As I know you too volunteered for your position as Chairman, then I am sure you know exactly how I feel and how much influence I had in this decision.
