To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff there are on her Department's (a) Yemen desk and (b) Oman desk. [34551]

Both desks have a full-time Country Officer who has administrative support and reports to a Senior Country Manager and Section Head. Both desks also have Export Promoters on loan to the DTI from private industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to promote trade and investment in Oman. [34552]

The DTI Oman Desk is involved in a wide range of promotional activities. In 1998, the DTI will support six outward trade missions to Oman, two exhibitions in Oman, six "Gulf Spotlights" in the UK, three inward visits by senior Omanis, the Oman British Friendship Association and Committee for Middle East Trade Round Table and the CBI "Invest in Oman" Conference in London. The Chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board visited Oman last month. In addition, my noble Friend the Minister for Trade met his Excellency Maqbool Sultan (the Oman Minister for Commerce and Industry) and also his Excellency the Ambassador on an earlier occasion.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the number of British firms which have offices in Oman. [34550]

There are approximately 70 British firms with offices in Oman.