HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 cc1033-4W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if non-defence companies are eligible for Joint Venture Funding. [54407]

Mr. Wilson

Yes. In principle any firm involved in exporting for the UK can apply to be part of a supported group at a trade fair abroad.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the value of the joint venture funding support provided in each of the last two years to United Kingdom companies attending overseas trade fairs exhibiting military, security, police and paramilitary services or products. [54406]

Mr. Wilson

The value of the grants paid by my Department under the terms of the Trade Fair Support Scheme to UK firms exhibiting at trade fairs in the Safety, defence, fire and security and associated equipment, including civil defence, sector is as follows:

£ million
Expenditure in year
1996–97 1.4
1997–98 1.2

My Department does not maintain records of grants paid towards the cost of exhibiting particular products or services.