§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department provides for exporters in the north east; how many firms benefit from such assistance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarUnder overseas trade services my Department provides a wide range of assistance to companies. In conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office we are able to offer exporters access to market information facilities and a range of services designed to meet precisely the requirements of business. In the North East there is close co-operation with the chamber movement which has benefited from extra resources through the Department's active exporting initiative and with the Northern Development Company which is responsible for a DTI assisted outward missions programme.
Northern companies may also access the Department's overseas trade divisions, particularly its country desks, its market information services and its major project sections in London. The Department's overseas trade service 570W operates throughout the United Kingdom with various access points, and therefore separate figures are not readily available for take-up by North East firms.