HC Deb 24 July 1997 vol 298 cc729-30W
Mr. Hammond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many overseas visits to promote British exports she and her departmental Ministers have made since 2 May; how many such visits are planned for the remainder of 1997; and how many visits were undertaken by her Department during the year ending 1 May. [10132]

Mrs. Beckett

Since 2 May, my colleagues and I have made five overseas visits promoting British exports. At this stage, a further seven visits are planned for the remainder of 1997. During the year ending 1 May 1997, Ministers in the Department undertook 28 trade promotion-related visits. In addition to this, officials in my Department undertake regular overseas visits to promote UK trade and investment overseas. Information on these visits could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Page

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what instructions she has issued to Ministers in her Department relating to restriction on their overseas travel. [9763]

Mrs. Beckett

My colleagues and I are fully committed to our responsibility to promote trade and investment and appreciate the importance of overseas visits as one method of fulfilling this responsibility. However, I have agreed with my colleagues that ministerial visits will be undertaken only if and when fully justified.