§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations the Government have received from trade associations about the proposed changes to the trade fair support scheme. [15719]
§ Mr. NelsonAs at 14 February 1997 officials and Ministers in my Department had received letters from 40 trade associations on this topic.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the Government are withdrawing financial support for the trade fair support scheme. [15718]
§ Mr. NelsonThe Government will continue to support a substantial number of trade fairs.
The Government will be supporting core events under trade fair support scheme rules until March 1999. Support will be increasingly available for other fairs through the sector challenge. This will allow industry to propose more flexible and longer-term projects for exploiting the export opportunities that overseas trade fairs offer.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the level of financial support by the Government to the trade fair support scheme in the last three financial years. [15717]
§ Mr. NelsonThe amounts are:
Year £ million 1994–95 17.1 1995–96 19.9 1996–97 118.9 1Estimate.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the board of Trade if he will meet the British Ceramic Plant and Machinery Manufacturers Association to discuss the changes to the trade fair support scheme. [15720]
§ Mr. NelsonMy Department has met a number of trade associations to discuss the changes and is willing to meet the British Ceramic Plant and Machinery Manufacturers Association.