§ Sir Irvine PatnickTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the United Kingdom share of Japanese investment in Europe; how many jobs have been safeguarded since 1979 as a result of inward investment; and if he will make a statement. [21365]
§ Mr. Greg KnightThe United Kingdom is the No. 1 location in the EU for inward investment with the latest OECD figures available showing that in 1994 the UK had over 40 per cent. of all Japanese investment in the EU. Since 1979 my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau has recorded over 462,000 safeguarded jobs associated with inward investment. This is an enviable record which we are determined to maintain in the face of increased competition in Europe to international investment.