§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Trade what specific recommendations have been made, or specific action taken, since 15 April 1980 by the Overseas Projects Board of the British Overseas Trade Board to assist the construction industry; and what further action he envisages.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimThe Overseas Projects Board has, as part of its work since April 1980, made a close examination of the services provided by ECGD and "aid and trade". These studies have been made in the interests of the project industry as a whole, including the construction industry. The board's conclusions are being followed through, and some have been implemented.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether departmental circular OTM 11/76, issued by the previous Administration, remains in force; if so, whether he will give specific examples of the action taken by diplomatic posts in (a) Bahrain, (b) Baghdad, (c) Amman, (d) Kuwait, (e) Doha, (f)Jedda, (g) Damascus, (h) Cairo, (i) Dubai and (j) Abu Dhabi to meet the recommendations of paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of that circular to assist United Kingdom construction firms regarding market opportunities; and what monitoring procedures he has established to ensure those recommendations are carried out and prospective exporters advised accordingly.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimOTM 11/76 remains in force and posts continue to be required to transmit information328W between the suppliers restricted under the arrangement and those who are not so restricted and comparing these shares with those secured during the first term of the arrangement.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimThe information requested is as follows:
in the specified categories of intelligence—that is, market pointers, calls for tender and successful bidding firms—as with other information, for publication through the export intelligence service.
To ask the 10 posts concerned in my hon. Friend's question to report the specific activity undertaken on behalf of the construction industry would not be an effective use of limited staff resources. The number of notices from each of them issued under the consultants' and contractors' services classification during 1980 is as follows:
Market Pointers Tenders Successful Bidders Bahrain 4 3 2 Baghdad 9 78 2 Amman 19 49 5 Kuwait 25 21 35 Doha 24 14 32 Jedda 41 7 13 Damascus 11 58 2 Cairo 7 74 0 Dubai 3 10 0 Abu Dhabi 18 18 8 In addition to reporting opportunities through EIS, these posts prepare project lists, which are of considerable value to the construction industry, advise business visitors and inform the Department of opportunities where direct action by individual firms is needed.