§ Ql. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Prime Minister whether he will place in the Library a copy of his pubic speech in London on Anglo-Japanese trade on 5th March.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)I did not make a public speech, Sir, but I had a useful meeting on that day with the Japanese mission which came to Britain at the Government's invitation to examine possibilities for promoting imparts from Britain to Japan.
§ Mr. LamontIs my right hon. Friend aware that the remarks attributed to him in the Press about the need for a liberalisation of Japan's trade are very welcome? Is it not the case, however, that if one wants to persuade Japan to take an internationalist view of this problem, it is very important that in all aspects of foreign affairs, whether in the United Nations or in international monetary negotiations, Japan should have, and has not always had, a role commensurate with her economic strength?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, I would agree with my hon. Friend's thesis. Of course, Japan's position in international monetary arrangements is fully recognised. As for the United Nations, it is well known that the Japanese Government would like to have a permanent 231 seat on the Security Council. This is a matter for the United Nations; obviously there are other countries which must also be considered.
§ Mr. MaclennanIs it the policy of the Government to seek to promote direct investment by Japan in this country? If so, what steps are they taking?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, we welcome investment from abroad in many cases into this country, and this matter has been discussed on the various visits that Ministers have made to Japan. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry went there last summer. I went in the autumn, and the present Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for Aerospace and Shipping are also going there. In addition we are going to have, in 1973, 16 trade missions to Japan, 15 store promotions and assisted participation by British industry in 10 Japanese trade fairs. I am glad to say that there will be a number of inward missions from the Japanese here. In each of these ways we will make the impact that we welcome Japanese investment here.