HC Deb 24 March 2004 vol 419 c864W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) assessments and (b) surveys her Department has (i) used and (ii) commissioned to assess the reasons why foreign companies (A) open and (B) maintain offices in London.[163369]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Through UK Trade & Investment's investor development programme, which entails systematic contact—both in the UK and overseasx2014;with the senior management of many overseas-owned companies present in the UK, we assess the reasons why companies set up in the UK and the factors that will impact on future business location decisions.

This is backed up by company surveys, commissioned by UK Trade & Investment. These are available on request from UK Trade & Investment. They are focused on the national picture.