§ Mr. McNallyasked the Minister for Trade what measures he intends to take to ensure that British firms obtain a fair share of contracts in developing countries financed by Community funds.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe European development fund is the main Community aid instrument. Under the fourth cycle of that fund, which has yet to be fully disbursed and to which the United Kingdom contributes 18.7 per cent., the United Kingdom has obtained 13.51 per cent. of contracts placed up to 30 June 1982, and that share is rising. There are also smaller aid programmes for the Mediterranean and non-associated countries from which we have obtained 7.1 per cent. of all contracts up to 30 June 1982.
Advance information on contracts and guidance for exporters on EDF matters is provided by the world aid section of my Department, which has also produced a business guide on how to obtain contracts under the European development fund. A publicity campaign about multilateral lending agency opportunities, including those of the EDF, is about to be launched. In addition, improvements in working practices are being sought from the Commission in a number of areas.