HC Deb 27 March 1972 vol 834 cc10-1W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the objectives of the study of existing Government support of export promotion amounting to £28 million, he will include ways in which women may be allowed to make a more substantial contribution to exports by the removal of existing restrictions on their participation in trade and industry.

Mr. Anthony Grant

I will draw the hon. Member's point to the attention of the British Overseas Trade Board, which is conducting the study to which he refers. The study is, however, confined to consideration of how the resources of the Government's export promotion programme can most effectively be allocated so as to encourage and assist British companies to maintain and increase their overseas earnings. The services provided under this programme are available without discrimination by sex. Questions on the employment of women in trade and industry are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.