SLOVENIA/SLOVAKIA 21-24 October 2008 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Price Philip plan first state visits

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, visit Slovenia from 21-22 Oct and Slovakia from 23-24 Oct. It is the first time a British monarch has visited the former communist countries. The visit will advance Britain's interests if it inspires investors and workers to turn their thoughts again to Britain. Investment and migrant labor have been flowing out of the country because of the weaker pound and higher unemployment. The outflow places limits on Britain's capacity to produce goods and services.

Official data shows that the number of eastern European migrants applying to work in Britain has slumped to its lowest level in the second quarter since the expansion of the European Union in 2004.

The Office for National Statistics notes that business investment softened much more than expected in the second quarter in response to growing economic uncertainty and the credit crunch.

Lower production means the inflation rate in Britain won't fall quickly as the economy cools, according to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee.

The Queen, 82, and Prince Philip, 87, are visiting at the invitation of Slovenian President Danilo Turk and Slovakian on 21-22 Oct and Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic. Sep/08

RELATED READING:

EU approves proposal to try Britons in their absence in foreign courts (Times 3 Sep 2008)
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article4664049.ece

Britain's investment and immigration slowing rapidly (The Australian/Dow Jones 23 Aug 2008)
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24225692-20142,00.html