§ 22. Mr, OlnerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what further steps her Department intends to take to promote inward investment in the United Kingdom. [10047]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyMy Department's Invest in Britain Bureau will continue to promote the attractions of the UK for mobile international investment to consolidate our position as the No. 1 location in Europe for inward investment. The Government will pursue economic policies which enhance those attractions, including macro-economic stability, an increase in the skills base, "flexibility plus" in labour markets and a positive approach to Europe.
§ Mr. David HeathTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of foreign-owned companies, by country, which have established operations in the United Kingdom. [11210]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 30 July 1997]: According to information notified to my Department's Invest In Britain Bureau, the numbers of new projects by country of origin between 1979 and to date, are as follows:
Number Australia 24 Austria 4 Belgium 16 Brazil 1 Canada 69 Denmark 33 Finland 19 France 65 Germany 285 Hong Kong 21 Iceland 1 India 4 Indonesia 1 Isle of Man 1 Israel 6 Italy 16 Japan 174 Kenya 2 Korea (South) 30 Liechenstein 1 Malysia 1 Middle East 1 Netherlands 34 New Zealand 5 Norway 29 Portugal 2 Republic of Ireland 51 Saudi Arabia 3 Singapore 6 South Africa 8 Spain 10 Sweden 42 Switzerland 42 Taiwan 24 Thailand 2 Turkey 3 Uruguay 1 United States 765 1. These figures are based on information on new projects provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest and exclude expansions and mergers or acquisitions. There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where IBB and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. They take no account of subsequent developments.
2. Data collected from 1977 onwards—when IBB was established.