§ 34. Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has any proposals for cutting Government support for commercial relations in his Department and for export promotion; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ParkinsonOur proposals for achieving economies and improved use of resources in commercial relations and export promotion activities form part of the total savings for my Department included in the announcement made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department on 6 December last. The Secretary of State is making a cut of 20 staff from a total of some 280 engaged in the commercial relations and exports divisions; also a cut of 100 from about 940 staff in the divisions providing services to exporters in addition to reducing previously planned expenditure in this area.