§ 16. Mrs. Angela KnightTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to increase support for British exporters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamOur plans for export promotion were set out in my export promotion strategy speech to the Institute of Export on Wednesday 25 November.
§ Mrs. KnightI thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Does he agree that some of our European partners have not reduced their aid and subsidies to industry to the same extent as the United Kingdom, despite agreeing to do so? Will my hon. Friend continue to do all that he can to ensure that there is a truly level playing field so that excellent and competitive British companies are not disadvantaged in their trade in Europe?
§ Mr. NeedhamOf course. The fact that we have reduced the value of the pound by 12 per cent., the fact that we are working toward a successful GATT round, and the fact that we are now working with industry in a partnership at local level, national level and overseas level mean that we now have in place just as good an export strategy as any other nation in Europe. It is high time that the Opposition read it.