§ Mr. David EvansTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to assist the countries of eastern Europe to benefit from the experience of the United Kingdom in respect of encouraging small businesses and the privatisation of state-owned industries.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe know-how fund, for which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible, is the Government's principal programme to assist the countries of eastern Europe, including the former Soviet Union, to move to free market economies through the provision of advice and expertise. Two of the know-how fund key priority areas are assistance with the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and the encouragement of privatisation.
United Kingdom imports of manufactures (£ million, current prices) Percentage change Annualised percentage change 1970 1992 1993 1970–92 1970–93 1970–92 1970–93 Irish Republic 128 3,249 n/a 2,432 n/a 16 n/a Sweden 236 2,783 3,006 1,077 1,171 12 12 Norway 118 965 1,048 719 789 10 10 Denmark 75 1,305 n/a 1,642 n/a 14 n/a Switzerland 188 3,823 4,375 1,935 2,229 15 15 Austria 73 922 942 1,157 1,185 12 12 Portugal 56 962 n/a 1,604 n/a 14 n/a Note:
n/a—1993 information on United Kingdom trade with EC member states is not available.
Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.