HC Deb 03 July 1968 vol 767 c235W
Mr. Will Owen

asked the President of the Board of Trade what work has been undertaken by the East European Trade Council during the period 1967–68; how many overseas visits have been made; what impact in practical terms the Council has had on Great Britain's exports; and whether he will make a statement.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

The East European Trade Council has aimed to co-ordinate and supplement the work of other organisations active in East-West trade. At home the Council has done much to stimulate interest in developing this trade, and to seek out and satisfy gaps in existing facilities. The Council is, for example, the sponsor of the major industrial exhibition to be mounted by Britain in Bucharest next October.

The Chairman and Executive Secretary have visited six countries in East Europe during 1967–68. It is not possible to quantify the impact of the Council's work on British exports.