HC Deb 25 October 1976 vol 918 cc14-5W
Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the expenditure of the Overseas Projects Group during the years 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76; what is his forecast for 1976–77; and what was the value of contracts won by British firms assisted by the Overseas Projects Group over the same period.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Direct support for exporters by the Overseas Project Group, through the Overseas Project Fund, for the years 1973–74 and 1974–75 amounted to £156,358 and £172,411 respectively. Expenditure in 1975–76 was £674,007. The published estimate for 1976–77 is £850,000. Note that these figures do not include the staff costs of the Overseas Projects Group. The total value of contracts won by British firms which relate to commitments for assistance from the Overseas Projects Fund over the whole period amounted to over £174 million.