HC Deb 24 January 1984 vol 52 cc503-4W
Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications there have been for British Overseas Trade Board support for trade missions to South Africa for the next 12 months.

Mr. Channon

The British Overseas Trade Board has to date received thirteen applications from approved sponsoring bodies for outward missions to South Africa, for the twelve months commencing 1 January 1984.

Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many trade missions were received by the British commercial attachés in United Kingdom consulates in South Africa in each year from 1976 to 1982.

Mr. Channon

Information relating to the extent to which commercial officers were involved in assisting either the 101 missions supported by the BOTB or other United Kingdom missions that visited South Africa during the period 1976–82, is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British trade missions visited South Africa in each year from 1977 to 1982.

Mr. Channon

Direct imports to the United Kingdom of cotton yarn from Turkey amounted to 4,605 tonnes in the first 11 months of 1983, compared with a voluntary restraint level of 3,700 tonnes for the year as a whole. The European Commission, at the request of the United Kingdom, pressed Turkish exporters to respect their agreement with the Community. Imports fell greatly towards the end of the year and there were none during November.