HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc693-5W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to paragraph 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. Fatchett

I 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. Gillan

To 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. Fatchett

I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

Mrs. Gillan

To 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. Fatchett

I 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. Gillan

To 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. Fatchett

A 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.

Charges 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.

Forward to