26
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE
7 July 1982]
[Mr Hill Contd.]
MR PETER Rees, MP, MR C B BENJAMIN and MR A DUNNING
(Mr Benjamin.) It has been a growing trend as compared with the situation 10 years ago. If I can add to what the Minister has said, we also participate in training programmes for commercial officers both when they go out, in programmes on familiarisation and up-dating, and when they visit this country so they are in touch with the headquarters of organisations or companies who have done business in that particular market.
(Mr Rees.) From my personal knowledge that is true of ambassadors and high com- missioners when they take up a post. They very often spend a month or so making contact with commerce or industry, particu- larly those sectors which are going to benefit in the countries to which they are ac- credited.
Mr Crowther.
67. Another thing SEATAG says to us is on page 10, paragraph 6: "Selected members of SEATAG have been able to support and accompany UK Ministers on overseas visits but on future occasions there is scope for fuller consultations with the full SEATAG membership who would wel- come the opportunity to provide specific points for the Minister's brief." What do you say to that?
(Mr Rees.) So far as I am concerned my door is always open to them and I would welcome increased consultation if they feel it is necessary. I am sorry they feel it has not been adequate in the past. During my short period as Minister for Trade on the occa- sions I have been out there I have been accompanied by members of SEATAG, and any other parts of the world by members of similar organisations.
68. Have they not made representations to you that there is scope in their view for fuller consultation? They are saying this to the Committee, I would expect them to have said it to you, have they not?
(Mr Rees.) I cannot recall that the Chair- man of SEATAG has actually said to me he thinks there is not adequate consultation. I would be interested to know what particular visit he has in mind. I am deeply apprecia- tive of the contribution they have made in the past and we will make certain there is even fuller consultation in the future.
69. As to SEATAG itself, do you feel that it is fully equipped to do the job that it is there for? Are there any ways in which you feel it might be strengthened? Are you happy with the present organisation?
[Continued
(Mr Rees.) No, I think it performs an extremely valuable role and we value the advice it gives us and the experience it makes available. It is not, of course, an executive body; I do not think it so regards itself. But, as I said, it contributes an extremely valuable pool of experience to our operations.
70. It is, of course, an advisory group, that is the name of it, I appreciate that. What I was really meaning is this: are there ways in which you feel it could play a bigger and fuller role as an advisory group if there were any changes made?
(Mr Rees.) I did not like to anticipate the evidence they were going to give, but obviously we shall be studying it very closely and I will hope to have further talks with Mr Checketts, the Chairman, in the light of what they have to say.
Mr McNally.
71. On this question of businessmen accompanying Ministers, does your Depart- ment take an overview of the programme of ministerial visits with a specific eye to trade opportunities and not just talking about trade missions. Other Ministers go to vari- ous parts of the world-Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers. Do you look for a positive trade input? Do you suggest to your colleagues that there may be opportunities to take British businessmen with them on missions that may not specifically be trade missions but may open doors?
(Mr Rees.) Indeed. Of course, it would be presumptuous of me, as it were, to try and organise the visits of senior colleagues but, indeed, most of them are acutely aware of the commercial dimension. If I may men- tion it, dealing with this particular part of the world, Lord Carrington when he was Foreign Secretary earlier this year took round at least half a dozen - maybe mor- businessmen and, although I have no doubt he devoted considerable time to political discussions, I know he and his mission made a very considerable commer- cial input.
e
72.
Going now to the position of indus- try, do you feel that United Kingdom industry as a whole takes full advantage of the opportunities for support which are available from your Department in increas- ing United Kingdom trade with the AS- EAN countries?
(Mr Rees.) You do, of course, get the phenomenon, if I may say so, of a business-