HC Deb 11 December 1995 vol 268 cc463-5W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department has provided in the last three years to United Kingdom companies interested in trading with Burma, or doing business there; what is the cost of this assistance; and if he will make a statement. [4769]

Mr. Nelson

Over the last three years, no financial assistance has been given to United Kingdom companies interested in trading with Burma. Our assistance has been limited to providing advice and information concerning the commercial, economic and political developments in the country via officials both in Rangoon and London. The cost of this assistance is not held on a central database and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was fully set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley), on 19 July 1995, Official Report, columns 1641–45. There is no obstacle to UK firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union embargo.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his Department has received regarding the use of forced labour in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [4772]

Mr. Nelson

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes, today.

The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was fully set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 July 1995, Official Report, columns 1641–45. There is no obstacle to UK firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union embargo.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance was offered by his Department to(a) the South of England Exports Association British trade mission to Singapore and Brunei, with the option to visit Myanmar, which took place on 4 to 12 November and (b) the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry seminar "An Introduction to Burma", which took place on 5 December; what was the cost of this assistance in each case; and if he will make a statement. [4770]

Mr. Nelson

(a) The DTI travel grant for Singapore and Brunei is £666 per eligible company. The South of England Exports Association was not offered any financial assistance to visit Burma and would have undertaken this leg of its planned visit as an unsupported option. In the event, the mission was cancelled due to lack of support.

(b) Delegates who attended the trade awareness seminar "An Introduction to Burma" at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry—LCCI—on 5 December were charged a fee of £60 for non-LCCI members and £45 for members, including VAT. An exact breakdown of the costs incurred is not available so soon after the event, but we expect to recoup the costs from the amount taken in attendance fees.

The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was fully set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 July, Official Report, columns 1641–45. There is no obstacle to UK firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union embargo.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in relation to(a) trade with Burma, and (b) United Kingdom companies operating in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [4768]

Mr. Nelson

The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was fully set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 July,Official Report, columns 1641–45. There is no obstacle to UK firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union embargo.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to organise a trade mission to Burma in 1996; what assistance will be offered to United Kingdom companies attending; and if he will make a statement. [4771]

Mr. Nelson

We propose to organise a trade mission to Burma next February and will be providing financial assistance to a maximum of 20 eligible United Kingdom companies, in the form of a travel grant of £1,000, towards the cost of the visit.

The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was full set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 July, Official Report, columns 1641–45. There is no obstacle to UK firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union embargo.