HC Deb 04 November 1971 vol 825 cc16-7W
Mrs. RenÉe Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the powers and responsibilities of the new Export Board ; and how these differ from those of the British National Export Council.

Mr. Anthony Grant:

The main task of the Board will be to give broad direction to the execution of export intelligence work, the work on trade fairs and other promotional activity overseas, the schemes for financial support for firms to participate in missions and for inward commercial visits to this country. This is a much wider field of executive responsibility than that of the B.N.E.C., whose main task was to give general promotional support to exports and to administer the scheme for financial support for firms to participate in outward and inward trade missions.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government funds will be placed at the disposal of the Export Board each year.

Mr. Anthony Grant:

The estimates for the current year—1971–2—for the work, which will in future be directed by the British Export Board, amount to £8,193,400 excluding staff costs.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the Export Board, including the chairman, and give details of their experience in promoting exports.

Mr. Anthony Grant:

My right hon. Friend announced on 1st November that he had invited the right hon. The Lord Thorneycroft, former President of the Board of Trade and Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chairman of Pye of Cam- bridge Ltd., of Pye Holdings and the Pirelli Companies in the United Kingdom, to become Chairman of the British Export Board, and that Lord Thorneycroft had accepted. My right hon. Friend has not yet appointed the other members.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what fees or honoraria are payable to members of the Export Board; and for what period are they appointed.

Mr. Anthony Grant:

No fees or honoraria are payable to members of the Export Board. The appointment of the Chairman is for two years. The period of appointment of the members will be stated in any announcement about their appointment.