HC Deb 18 December 1985 vol 89 cc297-8
14. Mr. Nicholas Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the commercial performance of high commissions, and embassies of the United Kingdom abroad.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Yes, Sir. The promotion and protection of British commercial interests, employing about a third of our front line manpower overseas, is highly valued by the business community. About 90,000 British business men are in touch each year with embassies, high commissions and subordinate posts during overseas visits. Market information inquiries have risen nearly 40 per cent. since 1979.

Mr. Baker

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer. Will he accept that some business men tell me that the performance of our embassies and high commissions abroad is variable? Will he do what he can to get more business men to come into the diplomatic service to work in our embassies and high commissions and will he try to improve the industrial experience that our diplomats receive?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Every organisation is capable of improvement. We operate an interchange of staff with the private industrial and commercial sector, necessarily on a modest scale. All officers who take up such commercial appointments for the first time attend a course to qualify them, to which contributions are made by private firms and trade. We recognise the need to do all that we can in that direction.

The tributes paid to the service far outweigh the complaints. All complaints are investigated and we welcome contructive criticism. In the 12 months to the end of October this year six complaints were received, but there were over 300 tributes. That is a fair balance.

Mr. Pavitt

Will the Foreign Secretary publish in the Official Report the excellent results obtained by the high commission in Jamaica? Will he commend the high commissioner for his efforts in all trading aspects between the United Kingdom and Kingston?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I shall certainly record the hon. Gentleman's view. It is right that such a tribute should be passed to those concerned.

Viscount Cranborne

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that part of the answer is in the hands of the business men themselves? Does he further agree that when contrasted with the efforts of many of our competitors, particularly the Japanese, British business marketing efforts abroad tend to be rather pathetic?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

It is not my function to endorse such a general condemnation, but I agree that the job of selling has to be done by business men. The diplomatic and commercial services can play only a supportive role. The private sector has a crucial part to play for itself.

Mr. Foulkes

Will the Foreign Secretary confirm that our embassy in Santiago is doing nothing to promote the sale of Centaur armed vehicles to that repressive regime and that no export licences will be granted for any further vehicles?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Our embassy in Santiago is following the policy clearly laid down to offer no arms sales in support of the repressive measures in that country.