HC Deb 18 October 1971 vol 823 cc356-7
20. Mr. Carter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to address the next meeting of the British Export Council.

The Minister for Trade (Mr. Michael Noble)

No, Sir.

Mr. Carter

Would the Minister not agree that the first item on the next agenda of the British National Export Council should be the inability of the Government to sell to the British people the proposition that Britain would get massive trading benefits from entry into the E.E.C. and that, as a result, the British people are left with the clear impression that the Government are prepared to buy a pig in a poke?

Mr. Noble

To the best of my knowledge and belief the British National Export Council agrees entirely with the Government that opportunities within the E.E.C. are very much greater than outside it.

Mr. Tom Boardman

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is some concern in certain sections of industry about a possible loss of momentum in the export drive during the interval between the cessation of the B.N.E.C. and the setting-up of the British Export Board? Will he assure the House that action is being taken on this matter?

Mr. Noble

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is hoping to announce a chairman for the British Export Board very shortly. I would point out to my hon. Friend that the programme for trade and missions overseas for 1972 is a massive one, and is continuing.

Mr. Mason

Is the Minister aware that the British National Export Council was shocked at the decision to abandon the Council, particularly bearing in mind that there was no proper consultation before the decision was taken? Is this not one of the reasons for the Government's difficulty in establishing the new British Export Board? Will he tell the House whether the Government are giving any aid, financial or otherwise, to the private enterprise body Business Missions International?

Mr. Noble

With regard to the third question, the answer is, "No". As regards the first two, I am aware that the B.N.E.C. would have liked to continue in the old form. My right hon. Friend and I made it perfectly clear that we regarded the existence of the B.N.E.C., the F.C.O., and the D.T.I. as constituting a considerable amount of overlap. I do not think this has had the result of causing difficulty over the setting-up of the new Board.