§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONasked whether the confidential information given to the firms whose names are on the special register of the Board is abbreviated from the reports of the Trade Commissioners; if so, to what extent; why there is any restriction on the general publication of such reports; whether, as stated, the notification of tenders for public works in the dominions over-seas is frequently too late for effective action on the part of British manufacturers; and whether the advice of the business community can be taken as to the form and methods adopted?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Sydney Buxton)The reports are occasionally abbreviated for purposes of convenience, but not in such a way as to involve the omission of any commercial information of importance. I have repeatedly explained the reasons which have led to the creation of the special register and the system of distribution of confidential information. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the recent questions and answers on this subject. As regards the date of notification of tenders, I have to refer to the reply given by me on 22nd March to the hon. Member for Peuryn and Falmouth. The system has been introduced on the advice of the Board's Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence, which includes a number of representatives of the business community.