§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the reduction of £700,000 in the funds available to the British Overseas Trade Board.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government have recognised the need to cut public expenditure and to make economies in the cost of Civil Service manpower. My right 813W hon. Friend has asked the BOTB to contribute to these economies by reducing its direct expenditure for next year by about £700,000 out of a total of about £19 million at current prices, and by a reduction of 100 out of 1,050 in manpower over the next 18 months. My right hon. Friend has been advised by the board that these measures will involve some curtailment of its services but will not damage the main thrust of its promotional activities.