HC Deb 18 December 1985 vol 89 cc203-4W
68. Mr. Favell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has plans to encourage commercial officers to visit the regions to explain to potential exporters the services which they have on offer.

Mr. Rifkind

About 200 diplomatic service and senior locally-recruited commercial officers undertake programmes of visits and speaking engagements in Britain every year. This number represents 35 per cent. of all officers engaged wholly or mainly on commercial work overseas and their visits are as many as resources will allow.

We are currently considering further steps to let existing and potential exporters know of the support available to them from the diplomatic service.