Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent he has been able to participate in spearheading export drives for products made in Wales since June 1987.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerOn 26 June 1987 I launched a public awareness campaign of the exporting services offered through the Welsh Office. I have also decided to provide staff reinforcement to the export branch to improve the service to Welsh exporters.
Since then, I have on several occasions spoken to industrialists both individually and collectively about the need to increase the level of Welsh exporting. I have set in motion plans for two overseas trade missions which will be led by me and will later this year take Welsh business men to explore new opportunities in Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Tomorrow I am giving an exporting breakfast in the St. David's hall Cardiff, and next week I will host a similar event in north Wales. I have also arranged that later this year a series of seminars on individual markets will visit west, mid and north Wales. Towards the end of the year I will hold seminars on the theme of the single European market in Cardiff and Wrexham.