HC Deb 16 February 2000 vol 344 c558W
Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bilateral meetings were held between his Department and its Austrian counterpart in each of the last five years; and what was discussed at each meeting since May 1997. [109903]

Mr. Caborn

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those previously planned meetings and their subject, between his Department and its Austrian counterpart which have been cancelled since the formation of the new Austrian Government. [109905]

Mr. Caborn

The 'Britain Now' campaign, which was to involve a series of commercial and cultural events and was due to be held in Austria in May 2000, has been postponed. It may be rescheduled when the political climate is right and when commercial interests in the events themselves are more secure.