§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many trade fairs organised by his Department in the past three years have included representatives of the British fashion industry; and in which countries these were held. [84413]
§ Mr. WilsonMy Department provides support, primarily through grants to firms in groups, to exhibit at trade fairs and similar events abroad. The number of such events in the clothing, footwear and fashion industry in each of the past three years is shown in the table. In the UK, my Department has also supported twice annually the participation of up-and-coming British designers at London Fashion Week.
1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 Australia 0 0 1 Cyprus 0 1 1 France 15 14 12 Germany 8 5 5 Hong Kong 1 1 1 Italy 3 5 2 Japan 2 2 2 Poland 0 0 1 Russia 2 2 0 South Korea 0 1 0 Spain 2 1 1 Sweden 1 0 0 UAE 2 2 1 USA 3 2 5 Total 39 37 32 Total events supported 358 307 399