§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when it was decided to withdraw financial support for the trade mission to Burma and Thailand scheduled to leave on 24 June; what factors underlay the withdrawal of support; if he will list the preparation and cancellation costs to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [33382]
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 19 June 1996]: I announced the decision to withhold DTI financial support for trade missions to Burma, including the British Electro-technical and Allied Manufacturers Association mission on 18 March 1996.1 refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to him of that date, Official Report, column 50, This was so that we could evaluate the results of the DTI-supported mission to Burma in February this year. There were no costs incurred by my Department resulting from the withholding of financial support for the BEAMA visit to Burma.