§ 51. Mr. Fallonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much export aid has been provided to companies in the northern region in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe full range of Government export support services is available to companies in all regions. However, the Department does not collate statistics which would show the full use made of these services by companies in individual regions. While figures are available which would show the number of firms which have, with the support of the British Overseas Trade Board, participated in overseas missions and exhibited at overseas fairs, these would not provide a complete picture of all the support made available. For example, figures are not available on a regional basis for expenditure under the export marketing research scheme and the overseas projects fund, two of the more significant sources of direct financial support to exporters.