§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those countries which are not covered by the outward mission scheme; and what are the reasons for each exception.
§ Mr. Channon[pursuant to the reply, 24 January 1985, c. 507]: Those countries which are not covered by the outward mission scheme are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Federal Republic of Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- United States of America
BOTB's resources are concentrated in those areas where it is believed that they are needed most. The markets in western Europe are nearby, and relatively well known, and the absence of a comparatively small travel grant should not deter serious exporters.
North American countries are also familiar, and there is no language barrier. The normal BOTB group mission approach is not generally appropriate for the very large and diverse north American market. There is, however, a special limited scheme for missions connected with the BOTB's Export USA drive.