§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government have been able successfully to negotiate with the USSR on joint plans for the development of natural resources; and what minerals he has in mind.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerAs I said in my reply on 14th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Sydney Chapman), we have agreed to negotiate a 10-year economic co-operation agreement with the USSR later this year. I hope and expect that within the context of this agreement we will be able to draw up a list of development projects, including those for the development of natural resources in the Soviet Union, where there are thought to be good opportunities for the participation of British companies. The actual negotiations about particular projects will of course be primarily commercial matters for individual companies but they will have the fullest support and encouragement from Her Majesty's Government.—[Vol. 865, c. 1013–4.]
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what criteria he estimates that environmental engineer-
Classification 30th June 1958 30th June 1963 30th June 1968 30th June 1973 Textiles … … … 99 112 232 3 Light Metal and Sheet Metal … … … 183 711 856 807 Repair of Plan … … … 1 23 118 98 Engineering … … … 776 1,806 3,026 2,921 Office Machinery … … … 121 150 175 203 Building … … … 88 135 115 118 Railway Plant … … … 12 11 80 50 Furniture and Bedding … … … 53 136 297 312 Paint and Varnish … … … 99 106 42 8 Electric and Radio … … … 59 74 1,569 2,405 Chemical, Medical, etc. … … … 78 101 177 140 Plastics … … … 1,420 984 1,253 1,338 Fancy Goods, Toys, etc. … … … 188 11 11 — Paper and Printing … … … 116 156 3 3 Miscellaneous … … … 403 574 583 594 Totals … … … 3,696 5, 090 8,537 9,000 Since 1st April 1973 the estate has been administered by the Aycliffe Development Corporation.