§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to encourage investment in the United Kingdom by Japanese industry and commerce; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Invest in Britain Bureau in my Department is responsible for encouraging Japanese investment into all parts of the United Kingdom. The bureau undertakes a programme of seminars in Japan, inward missions and other promotional work backed up by the production of brochures and magazines. In addition, the five English regional development organisations receive grant-in-aid from my Department for programmes of inward investment promotion on behalf of the north-east, north-west, Yorkshire and Humberside, west midlands and Devon and Cornwall. These programmes, together with those of bodies in other parts of the United Kingdom, have helped maintain the United Kingdom as the preferred location for Japanese inward investment into Europe.