§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific action has been taken, or recommendations made, by his National Consultative Council Working Group on Exports, since he announced on 14th February that any body would partly carry forward the work of the Construction Exports Advisory Board; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe National Consultative Council Working Group on Exports—now renamed Standing Committee on Exports—met on 22nd June under my chairmanship. The role of diplomatic posts abroad in export promotion activities of the construction industry, the comparative export performance of British and foreign contractors, and other matters concerning construction exporters were discussed. There will be appropriate follow-up action by both representative and official members of the committee.
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there has been any change in the staffing establishment of his Directorate for Overseas Construction Exports since 5th February 1976, when it contained six people; and what alterations have taken place in its programme of work since the 769W disbanding of the Construction Exports Advisory Board, in the light of the Minister for Housing and Constructions' reply to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Shaw) on 7th August 1975.
§ Mr. ArmstrongAt present there are six permanent members of the Construction Industry Directorate wholly or partly concerned with exports. On the disbandment of the Construction Exports Advisory Board the National Consultative Council's Standing Committee on Exports has been reconvened, and the directorate's work programme has been adjusted accordingly.