§ The Minister for Trade and Investment (Mr. Mike O'Brien)Details of UK Trade & Investment's £20 million programme of support for UK company participation in supported groups at overseas exhibitions, seminars and sector focused outward missions will be placed in the Library of the House. Sponsor organisations that bid for support to organise groups are being informed.
These overseas exhibitions, seminars and sector focused outward missions continue to be central to trade development work world wide. UK Trade & Investment is conscious of sponsor organisations' need for flexibility in the way in which the funding is allocated. The operation of the programme during the 2004–05 financial year will continue to take account of this need for flexibility, within the overall budget provision, and the need for efficient administration.