Mr. HAMILTON BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade if any representations have reached his Department as to the loss of the utility of the present system of Consular Reports arising from the fact that they are annual reports, and frequently refer to matters which have ceased to be of commercial interest; and whether he can see his way to introduce the United States system of publishing a daily Consular bulletin containing reports from various Consuls on matters of imme- 2451 diate interest to supplement the present system of annual reports of the trades in each Consular area?
Mr. BUXTONHis Majesty's Consuls are already under instructions to furnish immediate information on all matters of interest to British traders, and such information, so far as desirable, is published in the weekly "Board of Trade Journal." In other instances it is circulated immediately and confidentially to Chambers of Commerce and firms likely to be interested. I consider that this practice has considerable advantages compared with the United States practice of issuing daily Consular bulletins, and, as at present advised, I see no reason to modify the system, though I should at all times welcome any suggestions for improvement from the hon. Member or others.
Mr. HAMILTON BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman consult some of the Chambers of Commerce or leading merchants as to their views concerning the most useful method of circulating these reports?
Mr. BUXTONI am in constant communication with Chambers of Commerce in reference to this and other matters. We have an Advisory Committee of the Board of Trade on which the Chambers of Commerce are represented, and we are only too glad at any time to receive suggestions as to improvements in the circulation.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONHow do private firms get on the Board of Trade list?
Mr. BUXTONIf the hon. Gentleman will give me notice, I will be very glad to give him full information.