Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Prisk Excerpts
Thursday 23rd January 2014

(10 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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These are issues I discuss with Airbus from time to time. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of action under the World Trade Organisation on two cases, one involving subsidies to Boeing and the other involving alleged subsidies to Airbus. I hope that some of those issues can be resolved in discussions on the transatlantic trade partnership.

Mark Prisk Portrait Mr Mark Prisk (Hertford and Stortford) (Con)
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In Germany, the Mittelstand leads the way in exports. What steps are the Government taking to target our mid-sized businesses, particularly for emerging markets?

Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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I recognise the enormous amount of work my hon. Friend did when he served in the Department before me. We have a target of assisting some 1,500 mid- size businesses by 2015. My noble Friend Lord Livingston yesterday announced a major enhancement of the programme that will see an expanded regional network of advisers in UK Trade & Investment, with some 28 advisers in place across all nine English regions, specifically targeted to drive up the number of mid-sized businesses that might be deciding to export for the first time or to increase their performance.