HL Deb 20 February 1979 vol 398 c1807WA
Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied that the present level of compensation trade deals with COMECON nations is compatible with the objectives of the Government's industrial strategy.

Lord JACQUES

It is difficult to generalise about the effects of compensation deals with the countries of Eastern Europe. Such deals frequently involve substantial exports of capital goods and services from the United Kingdom and do not necessarily increase the level of imports which would have arrived in the U.K. in any case. One of the objectives of the Industrial Strategy is of course to achieve an increase in our share of overseas markets.