§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what criteria govern how the members of the British Overseas Trade Board, listed in the 1987–88 report from pages 32 to 38, treat their commercial interests when taking decisions as members of the British Overseas Trade Board; and whether a register of members interests is compiled and a financial declaration made where relevant.
§ Mr. Alan Clark[holding answer 11 May 1989]: The British Overseas Trade Board advises on overseas trade and the official export promotion programme. The board itself does not take decisions on the provision of services or other forms of assistance to individual businesses and conflicts of interest do not therefore arise. Of the bodies listed in pages 32–38 of the annual report, only the Overseas Project Board considers matters involving official assistance to individual businesses, and members are specifically excluded from advising on cases in which they have an interest. A full register of members' directorships and financial interests is maintained by the Department.