HC Deb 05 July 1976 vol 914 cc369-70W
Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how his Department identifies potential markets for British exports.

Mr. Meacher

My Department assists exporters to identify potential markets by disseminating a wide range of general and specific economic and commercial intelligence through the Export Intelligence Service, "Trade and Industry" and other means. Additional and specific indications are obtained through the joint commissions set up with a number of governments. In the particular case of Japan the Export Marketing Centre on occasion commissions professional market research to identify opportunities.

Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how his Department persuades new exporters to exploit opportunities overseas.

Mr. Meacher

The Department encourages firms to export by the dissemination of information about opportunities overseas and about the importance to the United Kingdom of increased earnings of foreign currency. Where a firm believes it may be in its commercial interest to export, the Department assists by providing information, advice and support under British Overseas Trade Board export promotion schemes.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether in view of the fact that the British Overseas Trade Board controls a special Exports to Japan Unit, he will now set up an Exports to the Middle East Unit, following the substantial growth of this market in recent years.

Mr. Meacher

As has been widely publicised a special Middle East Division was set up in my Department at the end of 1974.