§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what budget has been allocated to trade fair services support in 1998–99 [7681]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 10 July 1997]: In a move which has been widely praised by businesses the Government removed the trade fair services support from the Sector Challenge Scheme.
The Government is committed to maintaining existing Departmental spending ceilings until March 1999. A comprehensive spending review is being carried out. It will review all aspects of public expenditure, including export promotion. As the hon. Member will appreciate, I cannot discuss individual items within the spending review prior to its conclusions. I can confirm however that industry has been invited to bid for trade fairs and seminars to be supported in 1998–99.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms and conditions, including the price, of the contract with Metra Martech Ltd. for analysing responses to the Support for Overseas Trade Fairs and Seminars consultation paper. [8143]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 11 July 1997]: The terms and conditions for this contract with Metra Martech Ltd. are the standard DTI contract terms and conditions for service contracts. Details of these terms and conditions can be found in the DTI Procurement Manual, copies of which are held by the Libraries of both Houses. Other details of the contract with Metra Martech Ltd. are commercially confidential. Paragraph 13 of the Code of Practice on Open Government permits the withholding of such information.