§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Prime Minister whether the proposed integration of the export support resources of the Department of Trade and Industry and of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will entail an overall increase in Government expenditure on export promotion; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe formation of the joint directorate, which was recently announced by Ministers, will not have any direct effect on the overall level of Government expenditure on export promotion. It will, however, help to ensure that the considerable volume of 499W resources available to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for this work is used as efficiently and effectively as possible in support of United Kingdom businesses.