§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the total contribution to the United kingdom economy of United kingdom subsidiaries abroad in the five most recent years for which figures are available. [12554]
§ Mr. LangMy Department monitors developments in British overseas investment and, from time to time, evaluates relevant studies. Data on total net earnings derived from outward direct investment by UK companies in overseas subsidiaries and associates are published in "Business Monitor MA4" a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Over the past five years, for which data are available, earnings have grown rapidly. The net earnings of UK companies' overseas subsidiaries and associates rose from £14.5 billion in 1990 to £19.6 billion in 1994.