§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Department of Trade and Industry sought advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the Overseas Development Administration before deciding to support, and at what cost, the London Chamber of Commerce's business mission in Nigeria in February 1996; and whether they are facilitating any other operations concerned with the promotion of Anglo-Nigerian business, and if so, what the cost of each such operation.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie)The British High Commission in Lagos was consulted about the London Chamber of Commerce's proposed mission under the terms of the Department of Trade and Industry's overseas mission scheme. The Overseas Development Administration are not normally consulted about overseas missions, and were not on this occasion.
The department's financial support towards this event will be the standard subvention of £400 towards each eligible missioner's travel costs. The overall costs to the department will not be known until the size of the mission party is finally determined.
The department has also made an offer of support to the Kent Chamber of Commerce for an outward mission scheduled for November 1996. The offer of support is again based on the standard subvention of £400 towards each eligible missioner's travel costs. The overall costs to the department will similarly not be known until nearer the date of mission.