§ 38. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent action has been taken to promote rail exports.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are doing all we can to help United Kingdom firms in the export field. During 1980 a total of between £28 million and £31 million was provided from Government sources to assist the industry in winning overseas contracts, compared with £22 million in 1979. Officials of several Government Departments are engaged in discussions with the firms which sent representatives to China last year, with a view to furthering their interests in 387W negotiations with the Chinese Minister of Railways under the agreement concluded in 1979. We are also consulting industry and British Rail on how firms in the transport field can be assisted in winning orders in other markets.