§ Dr. Michael Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implications of the declining export surplus of United Kingdom chemicals; and if he will allocate more Government resources to United Kingdom export promotion agencies in respect of this sector of industry.
§ Mr. TrippierFrom 1981 to 1983 there were successive small reductions in the substantial trade surplus of the United Kingdom chemical industry at current prices but this trend was reversed in 1984. The Department's export promotion services, under the guidance of the British Overseas Trade Board, are open equally to all manufacturing and services sectors. Where particular important export opportunities are identified, the Department and diplomatic service posts overseas work with the industry to help exploit them. The current programme for export of specialised chemicals to Latin America is a recent example.