ABSTRACT
The public enterprises of the United Kingdom comprehend a wide spectrum of commercial activity. Although many were initially charged to operate solely within this country, most have expanded their markets and operate as major exporters. To help them develop their overseas business, some seven years ago the public sector set up the Nationalised Industries Overseas Group. The object of British Coal International is to promote the overseas earnings of all enterprises directly or indirectly concerned with coal production, handling and usage in the UK. It has a co-ordinating and promotional role encompassing a range of interests greater than those normally associated with a public enterprise. With few exceptions, training is a marked feature of the overseas activities of members of the Nationalised Industries Overseas Group. Whilst certain aspects of the public sector’s consultancy work is often criticised by private sector consultants as being “unfair”, the public sector’s role in the area of training is seldom, if ever, questioned.
