§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the confidential information on commercial matters circulated by the Board of Trade is sent to the chambers of commerce, and is therefore available for the information of foreign firms doing commission business in this country who are members of these bodies?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)As a rule, confidential information of the nature referred to is sent to Chambers of Commerce. In some instances, however, the notice sent to the Chambers is limited to a statement that the material portion of the information can be obtained by individual firms on application at the Board's Intelligence Branch, and the applications, when received, are considered on their merits. In other cases it is left to the Chambers themselves to decide under what conditions or limitations the information shall be circulated to their members.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of confining the list to British manufacturers, and of circulating the information to them only?
§ Mr. BUXTONIf the hon. and gallant Member has any suggestions to make I shall be very glad to consider them.