HC Deb 07 February 1968 vol 758 cc392-3
45. Mr. Alison

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much public money was spent each year, respectively, since 1961 on promoting British Week trade fairs overseas; and what is the result of his studies as to the cost effectiveness of the outlay.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

I refer the hon. Member to the figures which my right hon. Friend gave in answer to his question on 22nd November, 1967. We have not yet received all the information about the results of last autumn's Weeks in Brussels and Toronto required for a full review of the effectiveness of British Weeks. but we expect to have it soon.—[Vol. 754, c. 1289–91.]

Mr. Alison

Does the hon. Lady expect to carry on the British Fairs unabated following devaluation, or is there to be an intensification or a drop in the amount of money spent on them'?

Mrs. Dunwoody

It is our intention to do everything we can to assist in securing more export sales, and British Weeks, until they are proved otherwise, are doing a great job in this way.

Mr. John Hynd

In evaluating the results of the trade fairs does the Department take into account not only the sales at a fair but the repercussions throughout industry in the months that follow?

Mrs. Dunwoody

It certainly does, and for many months after that.

Mr. Marten

Will the Government support the British Trade Fair at Sao Paolo in 1969?

Mrs. Dunwoody

I should like to give the hon. Gentleman some information on that later.

Mr. MacLennan

Why have there been no British trade fairs in Latin America?

Mrs. Dunwoody

I shall be delighted to write to my hon. Friend as well.

Forward to