§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to paragraph694W 15.7 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, if he will list those British missions that are being considered for upgrading of their premises; [54568]
(2) if he will list the residential accommodation that is being reviewed under paragraph 15.9 of the Comprehensive Spending Review; [54570]
(3) if he will list those assets that are to be recycled and the value attributable to such assets that gave rise to the £90 million figure in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [54424]
§ Mr. FatchettI refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 21 July 1998,Official Report, columns 491–92.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out, pursuant to chapter 15 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the method of calculating the number of British jobs secured through foreign direct investment; how many such jobs have been created since 1 May 1997; and how many such jobs have been lost through the withdrawal of foreign direct investment since 1 May 1997. [54571]
§ Mr. FatchettI shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to paragraph 15.5 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, if he will list the posts that(a) are being considered for closure and (b) will be strengthened. [54567]
§ Mr. FatchettI refer the hon. Member to the answer given in another place by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCO, Baroness Symons, on 29 July 1998,Official Report, House of Lords, column 1499.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to paragraph 15.8 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, if he will list the services and the changes being proposed for firms benefiting commercially from his Department's services. [54569]
§ Mr. FatchettA wide range of overseas trade services are available to companies—some are free of charge, others are chargeable.
Posts abroad and country and sectoral help desks in London deal with initial and some other inquiries free of charge. Published and pre-prepared information is available from DTI free of charge.
Commercial Officers at overseas posts produce tailor-made reports for UK companies on request. Reports can include basic market information, identification and assessment of potential agents/distributors, customised local contact lists, market assessments for a companies product or service, advice on market approach, information about potential local business contacts and general information on overseas investment opportunities. Some posts can arrange a programme of visits to potential business contacts and offer support during the visit.
695WCharges for these services are based on the number of hours research required for the inquiry and currently stand as follows:
£ Information held by Commercial Sections 50 Up to 4 hours research 100 4–8 hours research 200 8–12 hours research 300 12–24 hours research 600 24–48 hours research 1,200 Each additional 24 hours research 600 Services are also available to help publicise new products and services abroad. A professionally written article can be targeted at trade journals and other media in chosen markets by overseas posts. The cost is £100 for an article in one chosen market and £50 for additional markets.
Besides these services, grant support is available from the DTI for trade missions, trade fairs and seminars abroad. Export Development Counsellors located in most Business Link offices in the UK can help companies develop an export strategy. Their services are free or chargeable depending on the level of help required.