§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the Byatt report on the costs and risks of support for capital goods exports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Byatt report was a study by Government economists of the issues involved in supporting capital goods exports. Since it was prepared the situation has changed considerably owing to the changes in world interest rates and the new framework for the OECD concensus.
At least 17 written representations have been made to Ministers in this Department and the Treasury since a copy of the Byatt report was placed in the Library of the House in January last year. As well as some from a number of companies, representations have been received from the following organisations:
- British Chemical Engineering Contractors Association
- British Consultants Bureau
- British Water Industries Group
- CBI
- Constructional Steelwork EDC
- Export Group for the Construction Industries
- London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Overseas Projects Board
- Process Plant and Heavy Electrical EDCs
- Scottish Council for Development and Industry
- TUC