HC Deb 29 April 1970 vol 800 cc1229-30
12. Mr. Speed

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to promote exports, he will seek to introduce a scheme to subsidise small companies wishing to establish overseas offices and warehouses.

Mr. Mason

The Group Export Representation Unit of the Board of Trade assists groups of small and medium-sized companies to develop exports. Financial assistance is given in selected cases towards the initial costs, including, experimentally, the setting up and operating of overseas offices and warehouses.

Mr. Speed

What is the future, then, of the Overseas Marketing Corporation? Is there not an unnecessary duplication between the Group Export Representation Unit and the O.M.C.? Does the right hon. Gentleman share the criticisms that Lord Brown made recently?

Mr. Mason

There is a Question on the Order Paper about the O.M.C., to which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary will reply. With regard to G.E.R.U., I have indicated—because the hon. Gentleman's Question suggested that he did not know—that we are already assisting small firms. We are getting them together and assisting them with their marketing overseas, helping them to branch out in a way which would not be possible for them on their own. That is an entirely different operation to the O.M.C.

Mr. Ridley

Would the right hon. Gentleman therefore confirm that it is not the Government's intention to set up such a special corporation to subsidise exporting and warehousing of small firms independent of the existing arrangements?

Mr. Mason

As I said in my reply, part of our assistance to small firms is experimental, especially where we are helping them to set up offices and warehouses overseas. We are giving them 50 per cent. financial assistance to do so, but we hope that after they have received assistance for two years they will be able to stand on their own feet without financial assistance from the Government.