§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will describe the work of the Import Opportunities Board, giving the number of its employees and the source and amount of its annual income.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe Import Opportunities Office for Developing Countries (DC100) was established in late 1973, as part of the United Kingdom's contribution to overseas development, to help developing countries increase their export earnings. In particular the office provides advice, largely in response to inquiries received, to exporters in developing countries and to the official trade representative of developing countries on methods of marketing and of promoting exports to the United Kingdom, and on specific market opportunities.
The DC100 is situated in the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its work is financed from the overseas aid programme. The budget is fixed annually to take account of the Office's likely work load, and for the current year is £50,000.
The staff complement at present is six though additional staff have been engaged on a temporary basis to handle work that the DC100 undertakes for the European Commission on a contract basis.