§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial aid was made available to trade missions of all kinds in the years 1963, 1969 and 1970; how many missions took place in those years; what financial aid has been provided for 1971; what is the number of missions involved; and in what countries.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe Missions Scheme administered by B.N.E.C. did not come into operation until 1965. In the financial years 1969–70 and 1970–71 the financial estimates were£750,000 for each year. The money spent on trade missions of all kinds totalled£512,624 and£497,527 respectively. The numbers of missions which took place in those years were 296 and 313. The budget provision for 1971–72 is£650,000 and the projected number of missions total 117 worldwide.