§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department is issuing to businesses to help them develop trading links with countries in eastern Europe; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe advice given depends on the needs and circumstances of individual businesses. My Department provides information about the economic changes in eastern Europe and their implications, and about specific opportunities for business and investment. Companies are encouraged to make full use of existing mechanisms for undertaking market research and pursuing identified opportunities. These include Government-supported joint commissions, sectoral working groups, seminars, missions and exhibitions, as well as the know-how fund for Poland which is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The know-how fund announced for Hungary will open in April.