§ 13. Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what support he is giving to north-west industries wishing to export to former Soviet Union countries.
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansNorth-west companies wishing to export to former Soviet Union countries are eligible for the full range of nationally available services provided by my Department and overseas posts. That national support includes the use of export promoters, subsidised attendance for businesses at trade fairs and on sponsored missions and the provision of a wide range of other intelligence gathering and promotional activities.
§ Mr. Nigel EvansI thank my hon. Friend for that answer.
On a recent visit to Russia, I spoke with our ambassador and was delighted to see the efforts that staff are putting into assisting British companies to export to Russia. Will my hon. Friend congratulate a company in the north-west called Thwaites Brewery, which recently exported some of its excellent product to Russia, and will he say what proactive action the Government are taking 593 to ensure that more companies in the north-west and other regions know about the potential of countries such as Russia?
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansI am happy to accept my hon. Friend's invitation. Being someone who is aware of the products of the Daniel Thwaites Brewery, I am sure that consumers in Russia will have the opportunity of taking advantage of the produce of that company on many occasions in future. I congratulate the brewery on its export success this year.
A number of north-western companies have been engaged in trade missions that have been supported by the DTI this year. I am aware of three north-west companies that are due to participate in another mission undertaken by the British Baltic chamber of commerce early next year. Five export promoters have been seconded from industry and are working with the DTI actively to support overseas trade, particularly within the former Soviet Union.
§ Mr. McAvoyWhen considering what support he can offer companies in the north-west, what weight has the Minister given to the difficulties suffered by small and medium-sized businesses caused by the late payment of debt? In the light of that, why will not the Government introduce a statutory right to interest for late payment of debt?
§ Mr. EvansThe Department is keen to do all that it can to encourage businesses of all sizes. That is why it has been actively engaged in the activities that I have outlined. If the hon. Gentleman is unaware of the specific action undertaken by the Department, it is important to say that the various schemes run, not just by the DTI but by the Foreign Office and the Export Credits Guarantee Department, are explained in a helpful publication that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has placed in the House of Commons Library. It is entitled "Overseas Trade Services—Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union" and I invite the hon. Gentleman to read it.
§ Ms GillanWill my hon. Friend accept my congratulations—to add to those from businesses in the north-west and throughout the country—on the DTI's excellent initiative in appointing export promoters? Does he agree that those export promoters have contributed in no small way to the golden, export-led recovery? Will he give our businesses a firm assurance that the posts of export promoters will remain firmly within the DTI?
§ Mr. EvansI can certainly say that it is our intention that they will remain so. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for paying tribute to the work undertaken by export promoters. I am aware that Mr. Robin Forrest, who is responsible for the north-west area, has visited a number of companies in the region.