§ 13. Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister for Trade how many official trade missions visited the Philippines in 1981 and 1982.
§ Mr. Peter ReesIn 1981 there were four trade missions assisted by the BOTB under its outward mission scheme, and in 1982 there were two such missions.
§ Mr. HooleyIn promoting trade with the Philippines, do the Government take account of the disreputable nature of the regime and the gross abuse of human rights there?
§ Mr. ReesIf this country's exports and trade were restricted to countries that had not been criticised by Amnesty International— a body for which I have the profoundest respect—the prospects for exports, and thus for jobs, especially in Sheffield, would be bleak indeed.
§ Mr. DorrellAs the countries of south-east Asia are among the fastest growing in the world, does my hon. and learned Friend agree that if we in Europe wish our economies to recover one of the soundest bases for that would be an increase in exports to that part of the world?
§ Mr. ReesMy hon. Friend has identified one of the best and fastest growing British export markets. The hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) may be encouraged to know that Davy McKee, a company well represented in his constituency, now has a letter of intent to manufacture a steel plant in Iligan. I hope that he and the House will take comfort from that achievement.