HC Deb 19 February 1997 vol 290 cc921-2
16. Mr. Winnick

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what visits have been made by Ministers in his Department to Hong Kong to discuss business matters since 1992. [15037]

Mr. Page

Since April 1992, there have been 10 visits by DTI Ministers to Hong Kong to pursue British commercial interests.

Mr. Winnick

It is interesting that the Minister said "British commercial interests", which we all support, but what other business have Ministers been engaged in? In what way is the money from Hong Kong billionaires collected to help fund the Tory party? Is it done through his or some other Government Department? We would like to know, because the money is undoubtedly coming from very rich sources abroad to a British political party.

Mr. Page

I am completely innocent on those matters and am unable to help the hon. Gentleman. I suggest that he directs his remarks to the chairman of our great party, who will be able to furnish him with the correct answers.

I had hoped that the hon. Gentleman would talk about Hong Kong being the United Kingdom's second largest market in Asia and how important it is to British jobs, but obviously he is more interested in funding.