§ Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firm inquiries have been received as a result of overseas promotions sponsored by the Invest in Britain Bureau; to what areas of Great Britain they have been referred; and how many new jobs have been, or are expected to be, created as a result.
§ Mr. Cryer, pursuant to his answer [Official Report, 21st April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 406], gave the following information:
Since September 1977, the Invest in Britain Bureau has dealt with about 250 new inquiries from individual companies about projects which would create several thousand new jobs. Many of these projects are at an early stage of planning. It is seldom possible to identify an inquiry as having originated solely as a result of any one activity, e.g. by the overseas posts of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the promotions sponsored by the Invest in Britain Bureau or other promotional agencies. The Invest in Britain Bureau co-ordinates inquiries addressed initially to any United Kingdom Government agency. It is normal practice to refer them to all the assisted areas of the United Kingdom.