§ Mr. TippingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the countries he and his ministerial colleagues have visited to discuss coal and energy issues since taking office; how many days each visit took; and if he will name any colliery visited.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 23 February 1993]: Since April 1992 I have made the following overseas visits during which energy issues were discussed:
- Russia and Azerbaijan—5 days
- Belgium (twice)—1 day each
In addition, my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy made the following visits to discuss energy issues:
- USA (twice)—4 days and 2 days
- Belgium (twice)—1 day and 2 days
- Portugal—1day
- Norway (twice)—1 day and 2 days
- Italy—2 days
- Austria—3 days
- Germany—1 day
- Japan—2 days
- China—2 days
The Minister's first visit to the United States was to see United States coal mining techniques and practices, and promote the export of United Kingdom mining equipment. It included a visit to federal No. 2 mine and Blacksville mine, both in West Virginia.
Visits by other departmental colleagues did not generally involve energy issues.