HC Deb 23 January 1980 vol 977 c293W
49. Mr. Cowans

asked the Minister of Transport what action he has taken to encourage rail exports.

Mr. Fowler

I have already taken several steps to encourage railway exports. I invited the Chinese Railways Minister to visit this country and with him I signed a five-year Anglo-Chinese arrangement on railway co-operation. I hope that this will encourage trade between the two countries. I intend to visit China myself soon to follow up this lead. During my recent visit to the USA I had also in mind the possibility of developing our exports of railway hardware and expertise. The Parliamentary Secretary and my officials, with my support, were closely involved in the international Transport Exposition in Hamburg last year, where the substantial railway input on the British stand attracted much interest.