§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade who accompanied him on his recent trade mission to China; what cities were visited; what was the outcome of the visit; and if he will make a statement. [40453]
§ Mr. NelsonMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade visited Dalian and Beijing during his recent visit to China. In Dalian he promoted the opportunities for British business there and in particular, supported the close links between Dalian and the city of Glasgow with which it is twinned. In Dalian, my right hon. Friend was accompanied by: the Lord Provost and representatives of Glasgow city council; Bass International Brewers; China Britain Trade Group (Scotland); Commercial Union Assurance Co. plc; GEC Alsthom; Ian Dickson Travel Service; Koo and Partners; Lawrence Graham; Prudential Corporation Asia Ltd.; Robert Flemming and Co. Ltd.; Robert Gordon University; Royal and Sun Alliance Group plc; Siemens Traffic Controls; Silleck Mouldings (Scotland) Ltd.; Standard Chartered Bank; and Strachan and Henshaw.
In Beijing, my right hon. Friend's discussions with senior Chinese leaders continued the series of high-level bilateral exchanges which have promoted closer two way business relations. He was accompanied in Beijing by senior representatives from: British Petroleum Co. plc.; Commercial Union Assurance Plc; Eagle Star Asia; General Accident plc; Kvaerner Corporate Development Ltd; Lucas Braking Systems; Prudential Corporation Asia Ltd.; Robert Fleming and Co. Ltd.; Rolls Royce plc; Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group Plc; Shell Transport and Trading Co.; Standard Chartered Bank; Varity Perkins; and Zeneca China Ltd.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations his Departments held about the business visit to China by Prince Michael of Kent in September; what was the nature of this visit; how its related to the trade mission which he led to China; and if he will make a statement. [40454]
§ Mr. NelsonThe Department of Trade and Industry was not involved in the arrangements for Prince Michael of Kent's visit to China in September. This was a business trip by private companies, unrelated to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's official visit to China in the same month.