Goods and Services

HC Deb 23 December 1976 vol 923 cc250-1W

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many personnel are involved in his Department abroad in helping companies which seek contracts under the aid programme.

Mr. Judd

The activity that my hon. Friend has in mind is a function of the commercial sections of Diplomatic Service posts abroad.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is his estimate of the number of jobs which is created for a company which is directly involved in producing goods and services through overseas aid programmes.

Mr. Judd

The creation of jobs in any individual company depends on many different economic factors, and it would be very difficult to estimate to what extent the production of goods and services under the aid programme has contributed to the creation of jobs within it.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many companies in the United Kingdom are at present involved in producing goods and services through overseas aid programmes.

Mr. Judd

Because of the form in which procurement records are kept I regret that it is not possible to provide an answer to this Question without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.