§ Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to improve the effectiveness of the Overseas Projects Group.
§ Sir G. HoweThe Overseas Projects Group was set up some four years ago to act as a focal point within Government for dealing with problems arising in seeking business from large capital projects overseas. The administration of this group now falls under the British Overseas Trade Board which considers that the group should continue to operate and that its activities should be strengthened and extended in several ways.
In particular, on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Board, Lord Thorneycroft, I intend to set up shortly 331W an advisory panel to which the Overseas Projects Group will be able to turn for advice in connection with all aspects of its work. It will comprise a small number of experienced persons from industry and commerce as well as representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Export Credit Guarantees Department. Secondly, the existing Feasibility Fund which is administered by the Overseas Projects Group is to be expanded in scope so that it may assist with the costs of certain pre-contractual activities in pursuit of large projects.