HC Deb 30 November 1982 vol 33 c149W
Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 29 November 1982, c. 61]: An overall review of the Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board—SITPRO—which receives a grant-in-aid from the British Overseas Trade Board, was carried out by Department of Trade Ministers in September 1979. They concluded that SITPRO continued to play a significant part in reducing the costs of exporting for United Kingdom companies and that there was no real scope for savings in finance or manpower. SITPRO will be reviewed again in 1984.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the National Film Finance Corporation in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Sproat

[pursuant to his reply, 29 November 1982, c. 62]: This body was reviewed in 1980 in the context of its reconstitution, and prior to the publication of section 7 of the guide. However, I am now reviewing the entire structure of the relationship between my Department and the film industry. I shall, however, be looking again at the corporation in the context of this review.