§ 48. Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the reasons why his Department was unable to give financial support to British engineering companies and the Central Electricity Generating Board in a joint bid to obtain a £200 million contract for the construction of a power station/desalination plant at Qatar; and what steps he is taking to prevent the loss of such opportunities in the future.
§ Mr. DeakinsA consortium could not be formed which was capable of accepting all the responsibilities of the contract. My Department is actively discussing with industry the question of leadership of a British consortium for such projects so that Britain can benefit from the large and valuable export opportunities which exist.