HC Deb 03 February 1977 vol 925 cc274-5W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether his Construction Exports Advisory Board has yet made any specific recommendations regarding mobilising the spare capacity of United Kingdom firms for overseas work; if so, what action he has taken to implement them; and, if not, whether he will instruct the board to produce specific recommendations, in a form capable of early implementation, by Easter;

(2) whether his Construction Exports Advisory Board has yet made any specific recommendations regarding the need to harness additional resources for construction exports; if so, what action he has taken to implement them; and, if not, whether he will instruct the board to make specific recommendations, in a form capable of early implementation, by Easter;

(3) what specific recommendations have so far been made by the Construction Exports Advisory Board to him regarding the selection of firms or groups of firms to pursue particular construction projects overseas, a task which was described in the reply by the Minister for Housing and Construction to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Shaw) on 7th August 1975 as being the Board's immediate remit; what action he has taken to implement those recommendations; and how many contracts or commissions have been sought by United Kingdom firms selected by him as a result.

Mr. Armstrong

I would refer the hon Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction to his hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Shaw) on 27th January.—[Vol. 924, c.695–6.]

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date or dates since 25th October 1976 his Construction Exports Advisory Board has met; what are the scheduled meeting dates for 1977; and what is the total number of meetings to date since the establishment of the board in December 1975.

Mr. Armstrong

Since 25th October 1976 the Board has met on 30th November and on 31st January. Meetings are planned for 1977 at two-monthly intervals, but more frequent meetings will be arranged if required. The Board has met nine times in all.