§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what factors underlay his Department's decision to send trade missions to Indonesia on 26 August, 23 September, 7 October and 11 November in 1996; and what is the projected cost of each mission to public funds. [36829]
§ Mr. NelsonThe missions have been planned to concentrate on sectors that have been identified as having the most potential for UK industry. The sectors are aerospace and airports; health care; oil and gas; power generation; and transport. The plan also recognises that opportunities exist in agribusiness; automotive components; environment and ports and harbours. The missions aim to take a group to the market focusing on one or more of these sectors.
The projected costs to public funds of these missions is as follows;
- 26 August : none, the mission has been cancelled.
- 23 September : £6,000
- 7 October : £6,000
- 11 November : £9,000
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade which members of the Indonesian military met members of the trade missions carried out in 1996; for what purpose; and what representations were made to them concerning Indonesia's human rights record. [36767]
§ Mr. NelsonMeetings with the Indonesian military do not form part of the formal programme for Department of Trade and Industry sponsored trade missions to Indonesia. I am not aware that any members of these mission met the military.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost to public funds of trade missions to Indonesia on 19 February, 15 April and 24 June. [36765]
§ Mr. NelsonAll of these missions visited two markets—Indonesia and Thailand. An eligible British company visiting only one of these markets receives a subvention of £600. For companies visiting both markets with the mission, grant is increased to £660. The costs to public funds of grants to British companies to travel with missions to Indonesia and Thailand was, therefore, as follows;
The mission on 19 February, sponsored by the Leeds and Bradford chamber of commerce and industry—£13,080.The mission of 15 April sponsored by the Northern Development Company and the Railways Industries Association—£10,920.The mission on 24 June sponsored by the London chamber of commerce and industry—£9,060.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade which public relations companies assisted the trade missions to Indonesia on 19 February, 15 April and 24 June; and when he last met personnel from each company. [36766]
§ Mr. NelsonNone. However, the missions were sponsored and administered by the Leeds and Bradford chamber of commerce and industry, the Northern Development Company in co-operation with the Railways 363W Industries Association and the London chamber of commerce and industry respectively. I would not expect to meet individual members of DTI-supported trade missions as a matter of course.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department last conducted an appraisal of human rights conditions in Indonesia; and in what circumstances companies which participate in trade missions to that country are made aware of the human rights record of the Indonesian military. [36768]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorI have been asked to reply.
We continually monitor the human rights situation in Indonesia. The British embassy in Jakarta briefs visiting missions on the general political and economic situation in Indonesia, including, where relevant or specifically requested, its human rights record.