§ Mr. NIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of, or whether he will make inquiries to inform himself as to, the practice of foreign Governments operating through merchants who are their subjects, and to whom special financial accommodation and Consular services are freely afforded, in the creation of political commercial spheres of influence in Oriental countries to the exclusion of British traders; and whether he proposes to take any and what action, and whether by international convention or how otherwise, to preserve to British traders the continued right to trade on equal terms with their foreign competitors in such spheres as are now in course of formation?
Mr. McKINNON WOODMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have no official information as to the private operations between foreign Governments and merchants to which the hon. Member refers, nor is this a subject on which official inquiries could properly toe instituted. As regards the second part of the question, I am unable to give an 27 answer to an inquiry of so comprehensive a character within the limits of a Parliamentary question, but if the hon. Member will specify any particular country I will endeavour to give him information in regard to the position of British traders therein.
§ Mr. NIELDWill the hon. Gentleman in the interval do his best to inquire whether or not the facts stated in the question are true?
Mr. McKINNON WOODPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will give particular information; that will make it more easy for me to inquire.
§ Mr. NIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the highly organised Government Departments existing in Germany and in the United States of America, corresponding to the Board of Trade in this country, which, acting through the Consular Service, constitute a propelling force for the advancement of commerce abroad, he proposes to take any and what steps to secure to this country equal efficiency and vigilance; and whether, to this end, he would consider the advisability of conferring executive powers on the present Consultative Committee of the Board of Trade?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)I am not prepared to admit that the organisation and machinery at the disposal of the Board of Trade for the promotion of British commerce are in any degree less effective for that purpose than the corresponding organisations of other countries. I desire to utilise to the full the co-operation and assistance of the Advisory Committee to which the hon. Member refers, but I do not think that the usefulness of the Committee would be increased—on the contrary, it would probably be considerably diminished—if it were invested with executive powers.