asked the Secretary of State for Trade when and why a charge was imposed for arranging agencies for exporters; and what is his estimate of the revenue which will be collected on this account, excluding VAT.

With my predecessor's approval this charge was introduced by the British Overseas Trade Board on new commitments after 5th April 1976. The Board's purpose is to ensure the most cost-effective use of its resources, and to this end to use a test of price to help it judge the value attached by exporters to particular services. Revenue is expected to be between £40,000 and £50,000 in a full year.