§ MR. HAROLD COXI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it is part of the duty of British commercial agents in foreign countries to supply information which will assist British manufacturers to compete with foreign manufacturers; and whether it will also be the duty of the commercial agents whom it is proposed to send to the Colonies to assist British manufacturers by similar means to compete with Colonial manufacturers.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is intended that when commercial agents are appointed in the Colonies, it shall be their duty to do all in their power to supply information which shall be of use to British traders.
§ MR. HAROLD COXTo enable them to compete with Colonial manufacturers
SIR GILBERT PARKERIs it not the case that these commercial agents also enable British manufacturers to compete with foreign manufacturers?
§ [No Answer was audible.]