§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken following the publication of the Bannock report about commercial representation overseas.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Bannock report ("Bringing More Manufacturers into Active Exporting"), concerning inter alia the extent of untapped potention amongst smaller and medium sized firms, was commissioned by the British Overseas Trade Board.
In the light of the report, the Department of Trade and Industry, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is examining ways in which some of the United Kingdom's official export promotion services can be refined, to meet more effectively the needs of small and medium sized firms.