§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the Northern Ireland trade delegation to China.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding reply 14 April 1988.]: I visited China from 20–31 March with a trade delegation comprising representatives of eight Northern Ireland companies. The delegation, which was organised and supported by the Industrial Development Board, visited Shanghai, Tianjin and Beijing.
The companies representatives visited a large number of potential customers and orders have been secured as a result of contacts made. I also met a number of organisations interested in investing outside China and these discussions have already led to a follow-up visit by a major Chinese clothing manufacturer to Northern Ireland.