§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much public money has been spent in the current financial year directly and indirectly on promoting exports, including tourism; and if he will provide an estimate of the increase in the exchange rate which has resulted therefrom.
§ Mr. LawsonTotal expenditure on export services in 1980–81, including both staff and direct costs in all Departments except for the Ministry of Defence, is estimated at £85.6 million net of charges. This excludes public expenditure in support of export credit.
Grant-in-aid provision from Government funds for the four national tourist boards and the British Tourist Authority amounts to £28.6 million in 1980–81.
It is not possible to say what effect, if any, expenditure on promoting exports and tourism may have had on the exchange rate.