§ Mr. George Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reply he has given to the representations by Dundee Chamber of Commerce to the decision to postpone at short notice their export trade missions arranged to Japan, Poland and Romania; what is the estimated savings to public funds of this postponement; how many trade missions from Dundee to overseas countries were supported by his Department during the period 1965–1970; and what was the estimated value of the export orders obtained.
§ Mr. NobleOur office in Glasgow has been in touch with the Dundee Chamber of Commerce. It has explained the general circumstances to the Chamber. The mission to Japan is expected to take place in the early part of next year. I understand the Chamber is still considering the prospects for a mission to Poland and Romania. The estimated savings to public funds in the current financial year of the postponement of the missions to Japan and Poland and Romania amounts to approximately £10,500. In the years 1965–70 I understand the Dundee Chamber of Commerce mounted nine missions under the B.N.E.C. scheme. It108W is not possible to quantify the contribution these missions made to exports.