HC Deb 05 July 1995 vol 263 cc374-5
13. Mrs. Angela Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether his Department's commercial services could be geared more towards small and medium-sized enterprises. [30907]

Mr. Baldry

The chargeable services provided by our overseas posts are specifically targeted at small and medium-sized companies. They are designed to help those companies export successfully.

Mrs. Knight

As small companies require special assistance when exporting, can my hon. Friend tell the House what steps his Department is taking to advertise its services through the relevant trade associations and business links in Britain?

Mr. Baldry

We provide small businesses with information and advice that it would be difficult for them to obtain elsewhere. At least 60 per cent. of companies which take part in outward missions are small and medium-sized enterprises. The business links network will have 70 export development counsellors to offer advice, smaller companies will receive export vouchers which they can exchange for export services and the network of 200 business links will help to raise awareness still further, so much has been done to help small and medium-sized businesses export.

Mr. Pike

Can the Minister assure the House that in dealing with the newly emerging democracies in eastern Europe we take into account not only the advantages for Britain, but also what we can do to help to stabilise those countries' economies and democracies, which is crucial if they are not to move backwards?

Mr. Baldry

I think that British business appreciates that it is important to establish long-term partnerships in every emerging market. It is in the interests of British business as well as of the countries concerned to ensure that there is maximum stability in order to make those long-term partnerships successful and profitable.

Mr. Thomason

Does my hon. Friend agree that the use of the know-how fund in appropriate countries may assist small and medium-sized companies in their export operations and that it is important to use the know-how fund not only for design and development but also for the full implementation of schemes if we are to see them develop properly?

Mr. Baldry

The know-how fund has been, and continues to be, extremely successful. I know of no scheme under the know-how fund that has been criticised. The fund has managed to achieve a range of projects and schemes throughout eastern Europe and it is now being copied by many other countries who wish that they had thought of it before we did.