HC Deb 31 January 1984 vol 53 cc177-8W
Rev. William McCrea

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the companies visited during his recent visit to the United States of America and that of the Minister of State; and which of those companies are seriously considering locating in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Butler

[pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1984, c. 517]: During the course of our latest tours in north America, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I each visited two United States companies.

Of these four companies, one is already manufacturing in Northern Ireland, a second has close commercial links with an existing Northern Ireland company, and the other two are seriously considering locating in the Province.

In addition, while I was in Canada, I visited four companies, two of which are seriously considering locating in Northern Ireland. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not normal practice to disclose the names of companies visited for industrial promotion purposes.