customers?
over
Is it a job for Government or industry? Is it more trade
fares, is it visits by Select Committees? How do we get the image/that
we can deliver the right goods at the right price and the right quality
on time?
184.
(Mr Checketts) All those things.
I thought it might bel
(Mr Checketts) Yes, and I think I said last time, this is one
of the strongest messages that you can carry when you go around as a
body to the area.
185.
One of the things that struck me, going round the Far East,
and I am sure it struck other colleagues, is the good performance of
British industry in the Hong Kong transit system, known not only in
Hong Kong but all around South-east Asia, and that is why I referred
earlier to a halo effect from a large project being done well by British
industry.
(Mr Checketts)
You will meet senior people in your travels
and they will softly but determinedly tell you that they think Britain
will not follow through, even today, and we have had that on our
trade missions. We just as determinedly tell them back, "But you
are a year or two back, with great respect, Minister", or whoever it is.
"If you look at the current performance of British firms on delivery
and quality, you will find a great deal of improvement. That is the
message but it has not been received and sometimes it has not even been
All the things you mentioned: trade fares, travelling
Ministers, travelling MP, can all play a part in getting the message
delivered.
across.
186.
Mr Mikardo
Is it not part of the problem that a lot of people in other
countries read what is written about Britain and British industry in
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