HC Deb 22 July 1997 vol 298 cc503-4W
Mr. Rowlands

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the key functions of the Overseas Projects Board; when the board was established; by what authority; and if she will list the names of the chairman and the Secretary. [9630]

Mrs. Roche

The Overseas Projects Board was established in 1977 as a separate group within the framework of the British Overseas Trade Board to give Ministers and their officials independent advice on issues affecting UK industry's ability to compete effectively for major project business overseas.

The present chairman is Andrew Buxton, chairman of Barclays bank and the secretary is Geoffrey Nuttall, an official in the Department of Trade and Industry.