TNAG-1154-FCO40-1434-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-(MPs)-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 87

14

7 July 1982]

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE

[Continued

4. All staff in an overseas Post are expected to play their part in commercial work but it is the Commercial Department which takes the lead under the Head of Mission's direction in calling on others for support. For example, Chancery will advise on political considerations to be taken into account over, say, a big project. Information Section will handle publicity for a visiting trade mission or a British industrial exhibition. The Head of Post may intervene with Ministers over an issue affecting British commercial interests. All work together to help British exporters.

5. The number of commercial staff in a Post cannot be solely related to the UK exports to that country. Many factors may contribute to the demands on commercial staff. Staffing levels are affected by geography, the political situation, the commercial facilities available, the concentration of industry, the country's method of organising (and possibly inhibiting) foreign trade, the UK market share, the potential for growth, the extent to which British firms have set up their own marketing or manufacturing subsidiaries; and, not least, the competing demands of other markets.

Location and Numbers of Staff") of British Missions in ASEAN Countries who were actively engaged on commercial work on behalf of the British Overseas Trade Board at 31 May 1982

Country

SINGAPORE

MALAYSIA(2)

UK Based Commercial Officers

3

INDONESIA

THAILAND

PHILIPPINES

TOTALS

Grand Total: 25

NOTES:

(1) Excludes Heads of Mission

4

443N

2

16

(2) Commercial Staffing to be reviewed in late 1982

Locally Engaged Commercial Officers

1

22-2N

la

ANNEX D-III

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE: STAFF WITH RESPONSIBILITIES FOR TRADE WITH THE ASEAN COUNTRIES

The Department of Trade Overseas Trade Division responsible for South East Asia is headed by an Under Secretary whose other responsibilities also include North America, North East Asia (Japan and Korea), Australasia and Taiwan. The Under Secretary spends about one fifth of his time on South East Asian matters whilst an Assistant Secretary spends about two fifths of his time on them. The Division includes one market section, headed by a Principal, which devotes all of its time to South East Asia including some smaller countries not part of ASEAN. The section is staffed by two Senior Executive Officers, two Higher Executive Officers, five Executive Officers and supporting Clerical staff.

In servicing the interests and demands of UK firms which relate to South East Asia the Division draws on the services of the Export Sections of the Regional Offices of the Departments of Industry and Trade and of the Special Branches in other Division of the Department of Trade responsible for specific BOTB Services (eg Fairs and Promotions Branch).