§ Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give consideration to providing a computer database of imported manufactured goods with data available on regionally-based terminals to enable British companies to identify potential markets for investment.
§ Mr. ButcherI am not convinced that such a database would be a cost-effective means of helping companies with their market research. Import statistics based on Customs and Excise returns are already available from the Department. In addition, the Government have encouraged private sector initiatives aimed at identifying opportunities for United Kingdom companies, notably exhibitions of imported products arranged for that purpose.