HC Deb 23 October 1912 vol 42 cc2186-7
69. Sir GILBERT PARKER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the use of the "Board of Trade Journal" of 17th October to advertise gratis a Danish cooperative potato export society by inviting importers of potatoes and other agricultural producers to use its facilities has his sanction; and if he is prepared to secure from foreign countries similar free advertising for British societies of a like kind?

71. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)

asked the right hon. Gentleman who is responsible for the insertion in the "Board of Trade Journal" of the goods of a certain Danish potato grower; and whether, before the article in question was published, he took any steps to ascertain if on the score of quality, or on any other grounds, the potatoes supplied by this foreign merchant were superior to those available from British sources?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The notices inserted in the "Board of Trade Journal" as to openings for British trade refer for the most part to openings for British exports in foreign or Colonial markets, but a discretion is exercised as to inserting other classes of notices where an important British interest is involved. In the present case, in view of the known shortage in the home potato crop, of the importance of this article of food to the general mass of consumers, and of the inquiries which have recently been addressed to the Commercial Intelligence Branch as to sources of supply, the notice to which attention is called was admitted to the "Board of Trade Journal," and I see no reason to question the propriety of this course.

Sir G. PARKER

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question?

Mr. ROBERTSON

That is scarcely a question to be put in this connection. I am not quite sure how far it is serious.

Sir G. PARKER

It is serious.

Mr. ROBERTSON

The hon. Member will perhaps refer it to the Foreign Office.

Mr. C. BATHURST

May I ask why the Board of Trade gives a preference to Denmark over all other foreign countries, let alone the Colonies?

Mr. FRED HALL

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the first part of my question as to who is responsible?

Mr. ROBERTSON

It is answered in the usual way by the Department.

Mr. FRED HALL

Is it expected in the ordinary course of events to give gratuitous advertisements to foreign countries, while there are growers of potatoes in our own country? Is this part of the Free Trade policy of the present Government?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The answer says "in view of the known shortage of the home potato crop."