§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Trade why the Duke of Kent has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board; what qualifications he has for this position; and how much time he will be able to devote to this post in view of his other commitments.
§ Mr. DeakinsMy right hon. Friend is making this appointment to draw on the Duke of Kent's experience of supporting British exporters at home and overseas, and on his knowledge in the field of electronics where he is the Deputy Chairman of the National Electronics Council. It is made at the suggestion of the Chairman of the BOTB and has the full approval of the Board, which the Duke joined in February 1975 when its membership was expanded also to include representatives of the TUC, the CBI and the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. His new appointment will be part-time and I see no difficulty in fitting it in with his other commitments.