§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what specific steps are being taken by his Department to assist those areas which have been affected by the recent reductions in the level of defence procurement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 13 July 1993]: My Department provides advice to defence companies on diversification opportunities, through the "Changing Tack" regional seminar programme and associated help manual. In addition, areas which are adversely affected by reductions in defence spending may be able to benefit from the EC Konver initiative, which will be worth some £15 million to the United Kingdom as a whole.
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